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Top Gear: How did Clarkson, May and Hammond feel filming their final scenes?

Filming their final Top Gear scenes was a sad moment for Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, the show’s former executive producer has said.

Andy Wilman, who helped relaunch the series in 2002, quit the hit TV series in the wake of Clarkson’s departure.

Viewers will see Clarkson, May and Hammond behind the wheel of classic cars and beaten-up 4x4s in their final challenges as a trio screened on BBC2 later this month, before Top Gear returns with new host Chris Evans.

James May and Richard Hammond filmed the final links in the Top Gear studio without Clarkson (Ellis O’Brien/BBC)

Wilman admitted to being “very sad” about filming the final scenes with the presenters at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.

He told Radio Times magazine: “The final session without Jeremy was very poignant.

“We’ve had a lot of fun in that studio, but we had a job to do and we got it done, professionally, and without tears or tantrums.”

Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond (Ellis O’Brien/BBC)

His comments came after Clarkson claimed that he was offered a return to the show, days after his former job was given to Evans.

Evans responded with a quip on his Radio 2 breakfast show, saying: “Well, as to whether Jeremy was offered his old job back or not, either outside or inside his own head he still said no to the voices.”

Clarkson and me at war shocker. Bagsy I'm Switzerland.

— Chris Evans (@achrisevans) June 20, 2015

A BBC spokesman said: “We haven’t offered (Clarkson) another Top Gear contract and the BBC had placed on record its thanks to Jeremy for his broadcasting on the programme and wish him well for the future.”

May has been unveiled as the co-host of new BBC show Building Cars Live.

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8 reasons we can't wait for Taylor Swift's UK return

Taylor Swift is set to bring her 1989 world tour to the UK, with the opening show kicking off in Glasgow tonight (June 23).

The Bad Blood singer will also perform in Manchester on June 24, before headlining the British Summer Time stage in London’s Hyde Park on June 27, following European dates in Amsterdam and Cologne.

We count down the reasons why we are excited to welcome the 25-year-old star back to the UK.

1. She loves her fans

Taylor has shown her appreciation for her loyal supporters. She has sent surprise gifts to fans, crashed weddings, made break-up playlists, offered advice, met up with them in person and even helped a couple announce a pregnancy so nothing is too much for the singer. So what will she have up her sleeve for her UK fans?

Thank you so much @taylorswift13 helping me tell the world IM GOING TO BE A DAD! #BabiesFirstConcert @lindseyjo86 pic.twitter.com/8135go8e3e

— Jesse Rasmussen (@JesseRas) June 19, 2015

As if my day couldn't get any better. Just got this from Thank You/Congrats Card from @taylorswift13 #Thankful pic.twitter.com/4QV4rKs5RV

— Jesse Rasmussen (@JesseRas) June 19, 2015

2. Those stunning stage sets

Taylor’s shows always have the wow factor in terms of set design. She has made it rain on stage, she has made the stage look like a forest and more, so it’ll be fascinating to see what will happen with her British gigs.

3. Her celebrity connections

Taylor’s friendship circle is crazily star-studded and fills us with envy. Lena Dunham, Haim, Selena Gomez, Jaime King, Hailee Steinfeld, Ed Sheeran and Gigi Hadid are amongst her closest mates, so surely there will be some stars in the crowd?

4. Celebrity cameos

The music video to Taylor’s song Bad Blood reads like a who’s who in pop culture right now. Kendrick Lamar, Cara Delevingne, Cindy Crawford, Ellen Pompeo, Jessica Alba and Ellie Goulding, as well as the aforementioned Lena, Hailee and Gigi, all make an appearance. We’re hoping any of them could join her on stage for a live performance.

Cara and Mariska Hargitay surprised the crowds at her Philadelphia gig, while Gigi and Martha Hunt popped up at Detroit, so anything is possible…

Detroit, look who tagged along! @GiGiHadid @iammarthahunt #1989TourDetroit pic.twitter.com/zkNQ9rv8bs

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) May 30, 2015

5. She makes things happen

To Apple, Love Taylor http://t.co/GN9jiRkqlj

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 21, 2015

I just played a gig inside a giant owl and my girl just changed the entire music industry what a day

— Calvin Harris (@CalvinHarris) June 22, 2015

Taylor changed the music industry when she pulled her music off Apple’s new streaming service, demanding the artists should be paid. And the global company changed their tune by agreeing. So what other positive change can she bring to the UK? Higher pay for women? Ladies, let’s speak up.

6. Her outfits

Trouble Trouble Trouble… #1989TourCologne pic.twitter.com/FelkHmeQHT

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 20, 2015

Taylor knows how to show off her figure stylishly, so it’ll be interesting to see what she pulls out on the nights of her live shows. Glitzy skirt? Check. Crop top? Check. Hotpants? Definitely ticked.

See you tonight, Detroit! #1989TourDetroit pic.twitter.com/nggNpDWQkf

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) May 30, 2015

7. Her catchy songs

Shake It Off is one of the best tunes around this year, as well as Blank Space and Style from her fifth and latest album, 1989.

Other hits from her past albums include I Knew You Were Trouble, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together and Love Story.

8. Her love for British men

Taylor is currently dating Scottish star Calvin Harris, and previously had a romance with One Direction’s Harry Styles. Will she bring her new man on stage or will she have a dig at her ex? Maybe both.

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The Clangers designer brands CGI animations soulless

The designer who brought to life classic children’s shows The Clangers, Ivor The Engine and Bagpuss has poured scorn on today’s use of CGI on the small-screen and hinted that the cloth cat and green locomotive could make a comeback.

Peter Firmin, who also designed Basil Brush, worked with Oliver Postgate on some of the best remembered children’s TV shows from the 1970s.

The designer, who was given a special Bafta for his outstanding contribution to children’s media last year, is the design consultant and co-executive producer on the revival of Clangers on CBeebies.

Peter Firmin at the launch of the new Clangers (Hannah McKay/PA)

The 86-year-old told Radio Times magazine: “I think it’s important that the Clangers should be knitted again because with HD and the very good production you do feel you could almost hold them now.

“Children can sense these are real things and not just pictures.”

He added: “I hate CGI (computer-generated imagery) faces on humans because you look in the eyes and there’s nothing there. There’s no soul. Even puppets with glass eyes have more life.”

The puppet maker also hinted about the possible return of Bagpuss and Ivor The Engine to the small-screen.

“Dan (Postgate, Oliver’s son) has this idea that Bagpuss would work well translated into a New England atmosphere, and Ivor the Engine as a live action series – a Titfield Thunderbolt-type story,” he said.

And he said of his work with Oliver Postgate: “Oliver wrote, narrated, produced and animated. I made everything you see, designed and drew it…

“We had to do everything ourselves because the budgets were pretty small in those days. It was all very primitive then, though we didn’t think it was primitive.

Basil Brush (BBC)

“I hardly ever bought any new materials. I improvised all the time, which was really the theme of the whole thing.”

He said that Postgate, who died in 2008, would have loved the new Clangers, which cost a reported £5 million to make.

“Oliver was all about kindness and love… never an aggressive thought. He was a conscientious objector (in the Second World War). And he never patronised kids.

“He would have loved the result of (the new Clangers) I’m sure because we’ve been so careful to try to be honest and preserve the spirit of the original.”

Asked if there were any recent children’s programmes he admired, he added: “The Wallace & Gromits are fantastic… Creature Comforts and In The Night Garden, which is a very pleasant little thing.”

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Lorraine Kelly's plastic surgery reveal: I'd never have Botox

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly has revealed she is anti-Botox and would not have it done.

Talking to OK! magazine, she said: “I’ve seen far too many people looking like Klingons and I don’t want to look like that.”

The 55-year-old posed for photos during an exclusive spread for the latest issue of the magazine, alongside her daughter, Rosie.

She also revealed how she had wanted another child, but had suffered a miscarriage.

Lorraine and her daughter, Rosie (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

She said: “Another baby would have been super. But, hey, it didn’t happen. I had a miscarriage when Rosie was about five.”

On growing up with Lorraine as her mum, Rosie said: “I don’t really see her as famous. She’s just my mum.”

Lorraine Kelly features in this week’s OK! magazine (OK! magazine/PA)

Lorraine recently posed in a floral bikini to launch Lorraine’s Bikini Promise campaign.

Read the full story in this week’s OK! magazine – out today.

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Made in Chelsea series finale: a bust-up, a spin-off and two ridiculous romantic gestures

Tonight we bid farewell to our beloved Monday night entertainment as Made In Chelsea ended in another action-packed series finale. In typical MIC style, it went out with a bang. The series finale ticked pretty much every single MIC staple box, making it possibly the most Made in Chelsea episode of Made in Chelsea EVER. Here are all the typical MIC boxes tonight’s episode ticked.

Very awkward conversations

Well, it wouldn’t be Made in Chelsea if there wasn’t at least one long, awkward pause.

Lauren and Spencer were hanging by a thread after last week’s revelation that he smooched another girl after a boozy night out. At first, we were kind of rooting for them to get back together.

Season finale of #madeinchelsea @E4Chelsea ☺️👌🏻🐸 I soo hope Lauren and spencer sort it out!! 🍃

— Lorr (@laurabrandon99) June 22, 2015

Nicola and Alex were on the rocks too – not because anyone had been unfaithful, but because it looks like Myton’s got bored.

If Lauren or Nicola can stay with Spencer & Alex after the way they've both been mugged off then I'm baffled 👋 #madeinchelsea

— Amber (@amberbrookesx) June 22, 2015

Then something very weird happened: Alex turned to his ex-flame Binky for relationship advice, while Spencer sought the wisdom of eye-rolling queen and ex girl Lucy. Huh? Why?!

'I can't blame my cheating on her behaviour.' OMG, Spencer has grown up!! #MIC #madeinchelsea

— Nicola O'Connell (@nicolajane_o) June 22, 2015

Binky is waaaaay too nice, after all Alex did to her she still chats to him una #MIC

— ERROR404 (@_txsha) June 22, 2015

A huge party, attended by pretty much everyone

This time it was the world’s smallest/least busy festival in the whole of the UK, with no queue at the bar and not a grotty portaloo in sight. There were however an abundance of flower crowns.

NO MORE FLOWER CROWNS. END THE FLOWER CROWNS. #madeinchelsea

— Daisy Buchanan (@NotRollergirl) June 22, 2015

Spencer also wore an ensemble we can’t quite describe.

Well, @SpencerMatthews definitely chose a good time to chat to @iamlaurenhutton… #madeinchelsea pic.twitter.com/0auvIjC9Y3

— MadeInChelsea Memes (@MICMemes) June 22, 2015

Not one, but two ridiculous romantic gestures

If you were already reeling from those odd conversations, you’d better take a deep breath before you read on. After only dating a couple of weeks, Sam’s only gone and got a tattoo of Tiffany Watson’s initials on his arm. As Mark Francis conveniently pointed out, it’s also the first two letters of TWAT.

Well, @MarkVandelli does have a point, @SamThompsonUK… #madeinchelsea @E4Chelsea pic.twitter.com/eewliRw0ys

— MadeInChelsea Memes (@MICMemes) June 22, 2015

We’ll give you a second to recover from that cringeworthy revelation.

Argh Sam is so cringe. I literally get goosebumps of embarrassment watching him #madeinchelsea

— Cherry (@CherrySays_) June 22, 2015

Spencer also gave Lauren a key as an “I’m sorry for cheating on you and destroying your trust” present. Isn’t he sweet?

Oh my goodness, how many times will spencer get away with this! Girls! Please! Get some self respect! 😫 #madeinchelsea

— L-MAC (@LiL_Lou88) June 22, 2015

A cute coupling we were all rooting for

James finally asked Lucy to be his girlfriend as they schmoozed together in a suspiciously un-crowded tent at the *music festival*. We wonder if they ever made it Facebook official?

Aww @imLucyWatson and @dunmore_says so cute! You got a keeper right there Lucy! #madeinchelsea

— Vicky Bartlett⭐️ (@vickybartlettx) June 22, 2015

A big relationship bust up

Alex finally told Nicola that he’s not comfortable with living with her, AFTER she’s upped sticks and left her home country to play house with him. In Nicola’s own words, a “dick move”.

Getting relationship advice from Alex Mytton is like getting sense of humour advice from Kanye West #madeinchelsea

— Ginny (@GinnySanderson) June 22, 2015

The rekindling of a friendship

After fighting for the entire series, Stephanie finally apologised (in her very strange faux-English accent) and she and Lucy decided to bury the hatchet and be bezzies again. Yay!

Awh, good old Lucy and Stephanie, back together again #madeinchelsea

— George Cowan (@QPRW124EVER) June 22, 2015

A spin-off a new summer series

The gang are hitting up sunny LA in a new spin-off series. We’re really REALLY hoping Stephanie Pratt will rope in some of her former The Hills pals – imagine what might go down if Spencer Pratt met Spencer Matthews.

All ends on a high so excited for next series in LA bring it on!!😝😝 #madeinchelsea @E4Chelsea

— Evie Young (@Louise2Evie) June 22, 2015

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5 things that give us hope from the season two premiere of True Detective

True Detective is back, and this time it has brought a whole new set of dysfunctional characters.

Goodbye to Rust and Marty, and hello to a new load of struggling cops and a brooding mobster.

When do Rust and Marty turn up? #TrueDetectiveSeason2

— Spooner (@Spoonerverse15) June 22, 2015

In the episode we meet Colin Farrell’s alcoholic detective Ray Velcoro, see how his relationship with mobster Frank Semyon, played by Vince Vaughn, came about. We also meet two more cops, played by Rachel McAdams and city manager, and start to see how the disappearance of a city manager brings them together.

Mostly, though, we sit around to comparing it to season one. How could we not? Here’s how it shaped up…

Test one: The theme tune

2 minutes into #TrueDetective and the theme tune sucks. That's 1-0 to season 1.

— Robin Edds (@robinedds) June 22, 2015

#TrueDetectiveSeason2 worst themetune ever

— Eamonn Moran (@Eamonnmoran) June 22, 2015

Wtf is this bad ass new theme tune to #TrueDetectiveSeason2 ? Brilliant tune

— simon_tucker (@simontucker1979) June 22, 2015

Let’s get one thing straight, we LOVED the theme tune to the first season, Far From Any Road by the Handsome Family. It perfectly summed up the drama – dark, brooding, slightly creepy, 100% American and utterly compelling.

We weren’t entirely sure what to make of the new one. Leonard Cohen’s Nevermind was very similar and very different – slow, tuneless and bleak, we’re somehow wondering if that means this series is going to be even darker than the first.

While we can’t imagine too many people went straight to iTunes to download it, we like the Wire-esque way different series are using their theme tunes to set the tone.

Test two: The rehabilitating actor

Here comes the #McVaughnaissance. I know I buy in. Do you? #TrueDetective

— Taz Matsui (@TazMatsui) June 22, 2015

The only standout performance in the first episode has come from Vince Vaughn. #TrueDetective

— Amar bin Ayub (@AlephAmar) June 22, 2015

I can't take Vince Vaughn seriously in @TrueDetective. I'm just expecting him to crack a joke every time he speaks. #TrueDetective

— Anthony Shannon (@AnthonyShannon2) June 22, 2015

This is a very big moment in the career of Vaughn, the actor who announced himself as the tremendous Swingers nearly two decades ago and has been in nothing but utter drivel ever since.

In season one we saw Matthew McConaughey – he of the dreadful rom-coms – in the midst of his McConaissance, reinventing himself with this show and films like Killer Joe, Dallas Buyers Club and Interstellar.

McConaughey’s turn as Rust Cohle was truly one of the most mesmerising TV performances of recent years. As mobster Semyon, Vaughn has a long way to go to match that – and a far worse back catalogue to try and forget. We’re keeping an open mind – there’s a quiet menace to Vaughn’s performance that’s promising, but it’s not enough for us to forgive him for Fred Claus just yet.

Test three: Female characters

Fifteen minutes in and the new series of True Detective has passed the Bechdel Test. Hurrah!!

— Ali Jackson-Carter (@alisonmjackson) June 22, 2015

So I'm probably not going to stop talking about how great Rachel McAdams is for the next month… #TrueDetective

— Emma Brooke (@ejbrooke) June 22, 2015

Rachel McAdams the only thing keeping me interested. Nice not watching her in her stereotypical role #TrueDetective pic.twitter.com/FC7PIKW3gY

— Shuja Pasha (@Shuj7) June 22, 2015

One criticism of the first season was its depiction of women. All the major protagonists were men, with most of the women there simply in the context as being wives, girlfriends or victims – all a bit one-dimensional in what was an otherwise beautifully complex show.

This time around, we have genuine female leads – one, at least, in the form of McAdams’ detective Ani Bezzerides. She’s a million miles away from a cliched female character – terse, driven, sexually confident and downtrodden all in one.

Couple that with her Bechdel-positive scenes with her sister and an impressive turn from Brit Kelly Reilly as Vaughn’s wife, and it looks like this series has gone a long way to answering the show’s woman troubles.

Test four: The double act

I miss Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson #TrueDetective

— lara cannon melchor (@littlelaz_) June 22, 2015

I'm convinced that Farrell's character has more evil in him than Vaughn's.

— Joe (@Interestein) June 22, 2015

A Solid premiere for @TrueDetective. Colin Farrell & Rachel McAdams look like being the standout stars of the series. Cant wait for the rest

— Anthony Shannon (@AnthonyShannon2) June 22, 2015

McConaughey’s on-screen chemistry with his co-star Woody Harrelson was probably the main reason for the show’s success. The pair are similar in a lot of ways, but their wildly different characters made for one the best screen partnerships in years.

As yet, a driving central relationship has not emerged in the new series. Instead we have what’s shaping up to be a triangle between Vaughn, McAdams and Colin Farrell’s broken and self-loathing detective Ray Velcoro. It could end up making the show even richer – or it could end up being muddled.

Only time will tell, but the characters are all intriguing in their own right – so we expect great things when they clash.

Test five: The story

Off to an emphatic start. Complex & arresting television. #TrueDetective @skyatlantic

— Chris Haydon (@Haydonsmovies) June 22, 2015

I'm out. Seems like it won't be worth sitting through all this preamble. I'll catch up if general consensus contradicts me. #TrueDetective

— Maria (@Maria_____airaM) June 22, 2015

omg can something happen already!?!? #TrueDetective

— gitit cohen (@gita212) June 22, 2015

It’s episode one, so of course it’s a scene-setter. What grabbed us in season one was the narrow focus of the show – yes it was grindingly and unremittingly bleak, but with its nods to the occult and clearly defined relationships it was easy to work out exactly what the show was. With so much going on here, it wasn’t quite so easy to see why you’d come back for more.

When season one finished, the speculation about series two was over who would be playing the two series leads, as that one central relationship seemed to be at the heart of what the show was.

This is a new True Detective, though, not about two people. If this first episode is anything to go by, it’s dealt with some of the show’s weaknesses, but found some new ones along the way.

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How did Taylor Swift respond to the photographer who accused her of hypocrisy?

Taylor Swift has hit back at a photographer who accused her of hypocrisy following her criticism of Apple’s latest music streaming service.

The American singer-songwriter said Jason Sheldon had “misrepresented” her photography agreement when he branded her “guilty of the very same tactic” as the technology giant.

Swift said in a strongly-worded online statement that it was “shocking and disappointing” that Apple had decided not to pay for songs streamed during a three-month trial period of Apple Music.

(Eric Jamison/Invision/AP)

But Sheldon challenged the Shake It Off star’s photo policy, which he said gives her “free and unlimited use of our work, worldwide, in perpetuity”.

A UK spokesperson for Swift responded by saying: “The standard photography agreement has been misrepresented in that it clearly states that any photographer shooting The 1989 World Tour has the opportunity for further use of said photographs with management’s approval.

“Another distinct misrepresentation is the claim that the copyright of the photographs will be with anyone other than the photographer – this agreement does not transfer copyright away from the photographer. Every artist has the right to and should protect the use of their name and likeness.”

Apple have since made a U-turn on their policy of not paying for songs in the trial period.

I am elated and relieved. Thank you for your words of support today. They listened to us.

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 22, 2015

Swift wrote an open letter to Apple, saying she would hold back her latest album, 1989, in protest at the technology giant’s “shocking and disappointing” decision not to pay for songs streamed during a three-month trial period.

The Shake It Off singer described Apple as “one of her best partners in selling music”, but said she found the fact they would not be paying artists for three months to “be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company”.

Her comments prompted a response from Apple executive, Eddy Cue, who tweeted to say that musicians would be paid.

We hear you @taylorswift13 and indie artists. Love, Apple

— Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015

In November last year Swift withdrew her entire catalogue from Spotify, and said she was making a stand not for herself but for new artists and bands, young songwriters and producers who would not be paid for a quarter of a year of plays.

Apple’s U-turn was given a cautious welcome by music industry figures.

Alison Wenham, from the Worldwide Independent Network which represents the independent music industry, said: “The decision from Apple to pay royalties to rights owners during the proposed three-month trial period is clearly a positive and encouraging step and we welcome the beginning of a fair and equitable relationship between Apple Music and the global independent music sector.”

Taylor Swift (Eric Jamison/Invision/AP)

Musicians’ Union assistant general secretary Horace Trubridge said it was “unclear” exactly what Apple was proposing.

He said: “When they say they will pay, are they paying the publishers and records labels so they can pay the artists, or are they paying the artists direct?

“Also, it’s one thing if you are an act like Taylor Swift and have that market share and commercial power, but if you’re an act with a major label from the 1970s or 1980s, which is where a lot of the streamed music is from, you’ve probably got a crap contract that does not pay out much for streaming.”

Nice work @taylorswift13 – can you campaign now for gun control?

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 22, 2015

Swift responded to the good news from Apple on Twitter, telling fans she was “elated and relieved”.

“Thank you for your words of support today. They listened to us,” she wrote.

Swift is due to perform in Glasgow and Manchester this week.

This weekend she will perform at the Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time gig in Hyde Park.

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UberLive: Guess who's been giving people free rides to secret gigs?

Eight shows. Six cities. One night. Uber has been whisking music fans to mystery locations to watch secret gigs featuring rising and established music stars.

Sounds fun? Well sorry, the whole event took place last Thursday (June 18) and you’ve missed it. But it was a big success and we’re sure it’ll happen again. Especially if this verdict from best-selling UK country act The Shires is anything to go by.

Putting on the eight intimate concerts, Uber partnered up with Sofar Sounds – a global music community based in more than 100 cities and dedicated to putting on performances in secret venues.

Sofar Sounds’ Tom Lovett said: “Sofar Sounds is all about the magic that happens when you bring great people together to do great things, in new and exciting ways around their city.

“Partnering with Uber for UberLive gives us the opportunity to further do just that – allowing more music lovers to discover the Sofar experience in the process.”

(Sofar Sounds)

Across participating cities, local Uber users received a message giving them the opportunity (at fairly short notice) of a chance to attend one of these intimate gigs – no more than a few hundred people at each. The lucky winners then got a free Uber taxi to and from the secret venue.

The six cities to host gigs this time around were Birmingham, Dublin, Leeds, London, Manchester and Newcastle.

Other bands performing at UberLive included Yael Naim, Too Many T’s, Blaenavon, Febueder, Fyfe Dangerfield (of Guillemots fame), Mt Wolf, Lail Arad, The Beatbox Collective, Bipolar Sunshine, and Swim Deep.

[snappaonyahoo-blog]

7 things fans think Taylor Swift should fix following her Apple success

If Taylor Swift wasn’t already ruling the world, she certainly is now.

The singer has won acclaim from far and wide after her Apple victory, with her open letter to the mega-corporation prompting them to reply, saying they’ll change their policy and pay musicians.

I am elated and relieved. Thank you for your words of support today. They listened to us.

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 22, 2015

But it seems Taylor’s work is not done. And with great power, comes great responsibility.

Certainly her fans think there’s A LOT she can still fix in the world. Here are their top suggestions:

1. Bring back old TV shows

Dear Taylor Swift: I have some TV shows I'd like you to uncancel. Please call at your earliest convenience.

— Ryan McGee (@TVMcGee) June 22, 2015

2. Jon Snow from Games of Thrones… yes, really

"What else can we get @taylorswift13 to do… make a fat-free cronut… bring back Jon Snow?" — @danbharris pic.twitter.com/vc0oGCoNPH

— Good Morning America (@GMA) June 22, 2015

3. Improvements to Apple products (obvs)

Dear Taylor Swift Longer Apple recharging leads please Yours The Entire World

— tom jamieson (@jamiesont) June 22, 2015

4. She could, like, fix an entire country

I'd suggest Taylor Swift run for president but kind of a step down tbh

— Jesse Berney (@jesseberney) June 22, 2015

5. Gun control

Nice work @taylorswift13 – can you campaign now for gun control?

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 22, 2015

6. Politics that need fixing

If only we sent Taylor Swift to the negotiating table in Geneva I think Iran would end its nuclear program tomorrow

— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) June 22, 2015

7. Fifa, the weather and tax codes

Hey Taylor Swift, can you fix FIFA, please? And, also, our tax codes could use some work. Oh, and it's really hot in Atlanta this week. Thx

— Amy Voss (@AmyV0ss) June 22, 2015

Not too long a list for you is it, Taylor?

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Photographer writes to Taylor Swift to ask: 'How are you any different to Apple?'

Taylor Swift’s challenge to Apple to pay acts on its streaming service has seen her accused of hypocrisy after details emerged of her attempts to control photographers covering her concerts.

The Shake It Off singer, 25, said she would hold back her latest album 1989 from Apple Music in protest at the technology giant’s “shocking and disappointing” decision not to pay for songs streamed during a three-month trial period.

Writing online, she said it was “unfair to ask anyone to work for nothing”, prompting an Apple executive to tweet this morning that the musicians would be paid.

I am elated and relieved. Thank you for your words of support today. They listened to us.

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 22, 2015

But it also prompted a less complimentary reply from photographer Jason Sheldon, who posted what he said was a copy of her photo policy which gives her “free and unlimited use of our work, worldwide, in perpetuity”.

He said: “How are you any different to Apple? If you don’t like being exploited, that’s great … make a huge statement about it, and you’ll have my support. But how about making sure you’re not guilty of the very same tactic before you have a pop at someone else?

“Photographers need to earn a living as well.”

Taylor Swift (Eric Jamison/AP)

Taylor’s stand against Apple came after she withdrew her entire catalogue from popular streaming service Spotify in November.

She said she was making a stand not for herself but for new artists and bands, young songwriters and producers who would not be paid for a quarter of a year of plays.

Apple’s U-turn was given a cautious welcome by music industry figures.

Taylor Swift (Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)

Alison Wenham, from the Worldwide Independent Network which represents the independent music industry, said: “The decision from Apple to pay royalties to rights owners during the proposed three-month trial period is clearly a positive and encouraging step and we welcome the beginning of a fair and equitable relationship between Apple Music and the global independent music sector.”

Musicians’ Union assistant general secretary Horace Trubridge said it was “unclear” exactly what Apple was proposing. He said: “When they say they will pay, are they paying the publishers and records labels so they can pay the artists, or are they paying the artists direct?

“Also, it’s one thing if you are an act like Taylor Swift and have that market share and commercial power, but if you’re an act with a major label from the 1970s or 1980s, which is where a lot of the streamed music is from, you’ve probably got a crap contract that does not pay out much for streaming.”

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Maisie Williams shares throwback photo of Game of Thrones cast

We’d almost forgotten that the Game of Thrones actors used to be so fresh and baby-faced.

Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark in the series, shared a photo of the cast from way back when – a photo of what was destined to be a very dysfunctional fictional family.

In the photo, thought to be from 2009, she is joined by Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy) and Richard Madden (Robb Stark).

Friendly reminder that this actually happened…….. pic.twitter.com/uKFWuf5P67

— Maisie Williams (@Maisie_Williams) June 22, 2015

Fortunately, Australian radio host Dan Debuf was on hand to summarise what has happened to the actors’ characters in the following brutal seasons of Game of Thrones:

@Maisie_Williams and then this actually happened 😁😁😁😁 pic.twitter.com/RNMDmpYkR2

— dan debuf (@dandebuf) June 22, 2015

On Saturday Maisie was forced to postpone a sponsored skydive for the Dolphin Project and Mencap due to “good old British weather”.

However, she promised, “I will be jumping in the future when I have a gap in my schedule”.

Sorry to disappoint, unfortunately it is out of my hands. Thankyou for all the love, hate to let you guys down xo 3/3

— Maisie Williams (@Maisie_Williams) June 20, 2015

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Spy writer John Le Carre to cameo in new TV show The Night Manager

Spy novelist John Le Carre is stepping in front of the camera and making a cameo appearance in a new TV series based on one of his best-selling novels.

The writer, real-name David Cornwell, has written more than 20 best-sellers often set in the murky world of cold-war politics and espionage.

He will appear opposite Tom Hiddleston in a restaurant scene in the BBC’s version of The Night Manager about a former British soldier who becomes embroiled in the arms trade.

Tom Hiddleston will star in the lead role (Jonathan Brady/PA)

The cast of the show, set to be broadcast next year, also includes Hugh Laurie as an arms dealer and Olivia Colman and Tom Hollander as spies.

The Night Manager has been translated into more than 20 languages and sold more than one million copies in north America alone since it was published in 1993.

Many of Le Carre’s books have been adapted for TV and cinema including including Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and The Russia House.

It is not the first time he has made a cameo appearance in an adaptation of his own work.

Gary Oldman played George Smiley in the 2011 film version of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (Jonathan Short/AP)

He played a drunk secret agent in a Christmas party scene in the 2011 film version of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy which starred Gary Oldman as George Smiley – the part made famous by Alec Guinness in the TV series.

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Emily Eavis: I'd love to get Diana Ross on the Glastonbury stage

Motown legend Diana Ross could be heading for Glastonbury – if Emily Eavis has her way.

Festival organiser Emily told Digital Spy that she wanted the soul diva to play at a future Worthy Farm event. She also revealed that Cat Stevens was on her wishlist.

According to Emily, music legends are easily the most popular bookings amongst festival-goers: “With that many songs you can’t go wrong.”

Diana Ross performs in 2004 (Andy Butterton PA)

Lionel Richie, who sang the theme song to Endless Love alongside Diana in 1981, is due to play at Glastonbury this weekend. Florence + The Machine, Kanye West and The Who will be this year’s headliners.

The three headline acts for 2016 have already been booked, Emily also revealed.

Diana, 71 – a former member of The Supremes and famous for hits like Where Did Our Love Go, Baby Love, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and Chain Reaction – still performs live, with two US performances scheduled for September.

Glastonbury Festival 2015 takes place June 24-28. 

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X Factor's Sam Bailey: I went on show for house extension

Former X Factor winner Sam Bailey has joked she only entered the show so she could have building work done on her house.

Appearing as a guest on Loose Women, she said: “I’m currently living with family because I’m having an extension on the house and we’re living in a bedroom of my sister-in-law’s house with two sets of bunk beds and a cot in one room.

“It’s been fun but I’m now ready to have my house because it’s being built.

Sam Bailey won The X Factor in 2013 (Rui Vieira/PA)

“I only went on The X Factor to get an extension on the house.

“Honestly, all I wanted was a bit of exposure so I can get more gigs and more money and then, next thing you know it’s happening.”

Sam said she will move back into her house next month.

“My sister-in-law and brother have been brilliant for putting us up, we’ve all had so much fun.”

.@SamBaileyREAL is all ready back stage for her appearance on @loosewomen tune in from 12:30! @itvmedia #chatshow pic.twitter.com/ODkYLvaRNa

— Champions Celebrity (@ChampionsCeleb) June 22, 2015

Sam also revealed she spent two years of her life pretending she was a boy. She made the comments while joining in the Loose Women panel discussion about nine-year-old Joseph Hughes from Wales, who has gender confusion and is set to return to school as a female.

Sam told the panel: “I wanted to play football when I was young, I had long hair and there was a boy’s football team, and they said ‘you can’t play because you’re a girl’.

Sam Bailey: "I cut my hair, went out as a boy and climbed trees to join a male football team as a child. They had no idea I was a girl"

— Loose Women (@loosewomen) June 22, 2015

“They said ‘the only way you can play for us is if you cut all your hair off’, so I went home and got a pair of scissors and cut my hair off.

“I went out as a boy. I used to climb trees and I didn’t want to do anything girlie.

“I did this for a long time. I played (football) for two years and they didn’t know, no-one knew I wasn’t a boy.”

Sam Bailey is a massive football fan (Nigel French/PA)

She also spoke about having to wait until everyone else has gone home in the changing rooms.

“Then I had to go in and get changed afterwards. I was top scorer for the club!”

The star also recently announced she will be doing a one-off concert in the West End in October.

Her song Skyscraper hit the Christmas number one in 2013. Sam worked as a prison guard before winning the singing contest.

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Glastonbury 2015: Get the festival feel from the comfort of your own sofa

There was a time when Glastonbury tickets were just £1, with the lucky 1,500 punters promised free, fresh milk to drink and an ox roast to feast on to boot – but 45 years on, it’s a whole different story.

This year, some 135,000 ticket-holders will once again descend on the famous site in Somerset, to watch the likes of The Who and Pharrell (and pray for sunshine). But while music festivals are now ten a penny, for some, Glasto takes a lot of beating.

“I love the first time you arrive on site, there’s nothing like it,” says festival veteran Jo Whiley, who’s joining up with Dermot O’Leary for Radio 2′s coverage, and Lauren Laverne and Mark Radcliffe for BBC Two’s TV highlights.

Jo Whiley will present Glastonbury highlights on the BBC (Guy Levy/BBC)

“There’s the tingle of anticipation and then the breathtaking view of the festival cityscape, and myriad of tents blending into one beautiful vision. The best time of day is as the sun goes down and the lights start twinkling, it’s unreal.”

Magical as that might be, for those who want to give the mud baths, submerged tents and crowds a wide berth, the BBC is once again offering extensive TV, radio and online coverage of the event, from Friday, June 26 until Sunday, June 28.

Lauren Laverne will present Glastonbury highlights on the BBC (Guy Levy/BBC)

As Lauren puts it: “I think the live streams of the stages are as close to being there as you can get. Those spectacular shots of the Pyramid Stage performances are really special.”

To get you in the mood for a weekend of live music – all from the comfort of your own sofa – here’s a look at some of the highlights in store, along with some fun facts and figures…

Glasto: The top acts of 2015

Kanye West’s headline slot has divided Glastonbury fans (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

To keep all the punters occupied throughout the five-day event, there will be music, spoken word, poetry, plus all sorts of workshops and films played out on more than 100 stages across the 900-acre site.

The biggest stage is the Pyramid, which will be host to the rockers Florence + The Machine, metallers Motorhead and US singer-songwriter Mary J Blige on the Friday, rapper Kanye West, Pharrell, crooner Burt Bacharach and Paloma Faith on the Saturday, rounding things off with classic rockers The Who, along with Lionel Richie, Patti Smith and Paul Weller on the Sunday.

Generally speaking, BBC Two is the channel to watch for the biggest names, BBC Three for the current crop of music stars, while BBC Four will take a look at stars from years gone by.

Glasto: What’s on the other stages

The Chemical Brothers will perform at Glastonbury this year (Yui Mok/PA)

Elsewhere, there will be performances from Mark Ronson, Ryan Adams, The Chemical Brothers, Hot Chip, Caribou, The Zombies, Super Furry Animals, The Fall, Suede, The Moody Blues and Donovan.

For host Lauren, it’s this diversity in the line-up that really inspires her. “Last year on radio and TV, I was able to cover Dolly Parton, Metallica, the first ballet performed at the festival, live sessions from Little Dragon, Kate Tempest and Toumani & Sidiki,” explains the DJ, who says her top tip for ticket-holders is to go to the festival without “too much of a plan”.

“And I got to interview The War On Drugs and the Arcade Fire,” she added.

Glastonbury highlights of years gone by

Stevie Wonder had everyone singing Happy Birthday at Glasto 2010 (Ben Birchall/PA)

There’s no shortage of standout moments from Glastonbury. Cast your mind back to 2010, and there’s Stevie Wonder (and a slightly less tuneful Michael Eavis) serenading the crowd with a version of Happy Birthday to celebrate the festival’s 40th anniversary.

Go further back to 2004, and Sir Paul McCartney led a chorus of thousands in a sing-song of Hey Jude. There’s also Radiohead’s landmark showdown in 1997, just after the release of the band’s OK Computer, The Smiths’ 1984 stage invasion and Johnny Cash’s iconic 1994 performance.

Dolly Parton went down a storm at Glastonbury last year (Matt Crossick/PA)

But one set really sticks in Jo’s mind. “Dolly, Dolly, Dolly!” says the Northampton-born DJ and presenter of the mega-famous country singer’s performance last year.

“The sheer enormity of that crowd and the outpouring of love for one mighty woman and her music [make it my highlight]. The fact I got to interview her as she walked off stage was the cherry on the cake. I loved the fact that she was completely unfazed by the whole thing.”

Green Glasto

Everyone who goes to Glastonbury has a “Glastonbury loo story”, which is usually a cautionary tale involving someone’s cousin’s university friend, who fell down an unspeakably disgusting toilet never to return. The good news is that the toilets are actually cleaned every day, so if that had happened, the friend of a friend of a friend would have been found… eventually.

Will you really miss this watching the festival on the telly? (Mark Allan/AP)

And the other good news is that with a whopping 2,000 long drops, 1,300 compost loos, plus urinals, she-pees, disabled toilets, a small number of actual flushing bogs and a dwindling number of portable loos, there shouldn’t be too much in the way of queues.

Known for its green credentials (hence the dwindling number of plastic portable loos), the festival is hot on recycling, limiting plastic waste and supporting worthy causes. Indeed, since 2000, each festival has raised £1 million for charities and local good causes.

The BBC’s coverage of Glastonbury Festival begins on Friday, June 26.

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EastEnders welcomes Kathy Beale back: Gillian Taylforth and Paul Nicholas film at London station

EastEnders fans have a juicy storyline to look forward to when Kathy Beale makes her full-time return – her comeback scenes have been filmed with menacing ex-husband Gavin Sullivan.

New pictures show Gillian Taylforth, who plays Kathy, and Paul Nicholas, cast as Gavin, shooting at London King’s Cross St Pancras station – and from the looks of things, Gavin will make Kathy’s return to Walford anything but smooth.

Viewers saw Kathy seemingly return from the dead during the BBC soap’s live week, when she reappeared to speak to Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) despite apparently having died off screen years earlier.

Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) is disturbed to see her ex Gavin (Paul Nicholas) (BBC)

Kathy looks terrified of her ex Gavin in the station scenes, and possibly with good reason, as he’s said to know where many of Albert Square’s bodies are buried.

Gavin is set to follow Kathy to her old home when she goes into hiding with ex Phil.

Paul, who has not started filming in Albert Square yet, said of his casting: “I am delighted to be joining the wonderful cast of EastEnders for what is going to be an exciting time. I can’t wait to get started and seeing what’s in store for my character.”

Gavin (Paul Nicholas) and Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) run into each other in the station (BBC)

Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins added that he was pleased to have signed the former Just Good Friends star.

He said: “We are all thrilled. So many viewers have grown up with Paul so it’s brilliant to have him back on our screens.

“He’s a major part in Kathy’s explosive return to the Square, while holding the key to many more of the Square’s secrets.”

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Strictly Come Dancing's James Jordan continues same-sex couple debate with Craig Revel Horwood

Former Strictly Come Dancing star James Jordan has criticised Craig Revel Horwood for saying that he would like two men to dance with each other on the show.

James, who has previously said that he opposed the idea, told This Morning that the show’s judge did not have the right dancing background to make a judgment about having two men on the show.

“It’s easy for Craig to say, (but) he’s not from my dance world. He’s from the theatre world,” he told This Morning.

Craig Revel Horwood thinks same-sex couples should be allowed on the show (BBC)

“I have the right to say whether or not I agree with it. It doesn’t make me homophobic at all.”

James said that the acid-tongued judge played “an amazing part on the show” and he wanted to see him stay.

But he said that by getting two men to dance with each other the BBC One series would be “ticking boxes”.

James Jordan dancing with wife Ola on Strictly (Guy Levy/BBC)

“It would be a joke couple. People wouldn’t take it seriously, it would have to be comedy value. I don’t think it would be two men doing the sexy Rumba with each other. I don’t think it would work,” he said.

James and his wife Ola, who is still a Strictly dancer, were on This Morning to promote their TV show, Seven Days With, on ITVBe.

Asked if she was broody, Ola, who has recovered after injuring her leg in Channel 4 show The Games, replied: “Yes, just not yet.”