In recent months, the UK entertainment industry has been abuzz with notable events involving its celebrities. From high-profile legal victories to the launch of new television series, the spotlight has been firmly on British stars.
One of the most significant developments was Prince Harry's legal victory over Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers . The publisher admitted to unlawful actions at its tabloid, The Sun, and agreed to a substantial damages payment. Prince Harry had accused NGN of illegally obtaining private information about him from 1996 to 2011 and intruding into the private life of his late mother, Princess Diana. The settlement, reported to be over £10 million, mainly covered legal fees. NGN issued an apology for the serious intrusion into Harry's private life. This settlement may mark the end of similar lawsuits against NGN, which has faced significant financial repercussions from prior lawsuits involving phone hacking and other illegal information-gathering activities.
In the realm of reality television, "Celebrity Big Brother 2025" has returned to ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player. Hosted by AJ Odudu and Will Best, the show features a diverse lineup of celebrity housemates, including EastEnders star Patsy Palmer, actor Mickey Rourke, and Olympic athlete Daley Thompson. The house has moved to a new location, and viewers can connect with the show through behind-the-scenes content and late-night coverage. Previous winner David Potts won the 2024 season. The show continues to gain popularity, with over 100 million streams on ITVX, and features include exclusive interviews with evictees and commentary from hosts and guest celebrities.
Another exciting addition to the UK's television landscape is "Celebrity Traitors UK," set to premiere on BBC1 later in 2025. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, this celebrity edition will see well-known faces competing in the popular murder-mystery format. Confirmed participants include Tom Daley, Bob Mortimer, Stephen Fry, Jonathan Ross, and Clare Balding. The show, filmed at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, will follow the usual format: celebrities will start as Faithfuls, with a few secretly selected as Traitors aiming to deceive the rest. Through missions, players build a prize fund of up to £120,000, with celebrities aiming to win up to £100,000 for charity. Regular banishments and “murders” spice up the gameplay, culminating in either the Faithfuls or a remaining Traitor claiming the prize.
In the realm of legal affairs, NGN has settled claims from over 1,300 people, including celebrities such as Louise Redknapp and Alfie Allen, over alleged phone hacking and other unlawful activities. This leaves Prince Harry and Lord Tom Watson as the remaining claimants heading to trial. The trial for Prince Harry and Watson is scheduled for January and is expected to last up to eight weeks. Prince Harry's team is seeking additional correspondence involving Murdoch's employees and the Royal Household, while NGN denies any undisclosed agreement with the royal family. NGN has settled most phone-hacking claims over a decade, with total payouts exceeding £1 billion. The company aims to finalize all disputes without trial, continuing its longstanding commitment to settle justified claims.
These developments highlight the dynamic nature of the UK's entertainment industry, where legal battles, new television ventures, and celebrity activities continue to captivate the public's attention.
