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A record 9.9 million UK viewers watched the vibrant lights of last night’s Eurovision as the grand final in Liverpool became the most watched in history.

A peak of 11 million saw Mae Muller finish second-from-bottom in the contest, which the London-born singer said was “not the result we hoped for”.

Posting on Twitter in the early hours of Sunday, 25-year-old Muller said: “I just want to say thank u x i know i joke a lot but we really put our all into the last few months, not the result we hoped for but so proud of everyone & what we achieved on this journey.

“Congrats to all the countries, I’ll never forget this journey and I love you all.”

Finland's Kaarija sings Cha Cha Cha
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Finland’s Kaarija sings Cha Cha Cha

Germany was the only nation to finish below the UK, on 18 points.

The disappointment came just 12 months after the UK finished second behind Ukraine when Sam Ryder wowed with his hit Space Man.

But despite the result Saturday’s broadcast made ratings history, beating the previous record of 9.5 million people who tuned in to watch UK entry Blue compete in 2011.

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As the show ended, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: “Liverpool, you’ve done the United Kingdom and Ukraine proud.

“What a fantastic celebration for #Eurovision2023 Congratulations @Loreen_Talhaoui. Sweden it’s over to you.”

It was the latest in a month of big live events on British TV, with the Eurovision final roughly level with the 10.1 million who watched the star-studded coronation concert but dwarfed by the 18 million who watched the King’s coronation itself.

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Don’t sing along to Wicked movie starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, fans warned

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Don't sing along to Wicked movie starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, fans warned

Movie fans are being warned they must not sing along to music in the new Wicked film.

The movie, which features British singer and actress Cynthia Erivo and American star Ariana Grande, will be released in UK cinemas on Friday 22 November.

However, according to an advisory video shown moments before the film in the US, AMC Theatres tells the audience “silence is golden” and fans should stay quiet so everyone can “enjoy the magic of movies”.

It urges people not to talk or text, adding “no singing, no wailing, no flirting, and absolutely no name calling”.

Ryan Noonan, an AMC spokesman, told IndyStar: “The Wicked pre-show spot incorporates the themes of the film as a fun, engaging reminder to moviegoers to not disrupt the experience for those around them as they enjoy the show.”

Some fans have posted on social media saying they may find it difficult to resist joining in with the songs in the film, which is an interpretation of the hit Broadway and West End musical.

Cast members Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo attend a premiere for the film "Wicked" in London, Britain, November 18, 2024. REUTERS/Mina Kim TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
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Grande and Cynthia Erivo at the movie’s premiere in London on Monday. Pic: Reuters

Part one of Wicked will be released on Friday, followed by part two in November 2025.

The movies explore the friendship between Elphaba, played by Erivo, and Glinda, portrayed by Grande, before they become estranged.

The characters come from the classic Oz stories by American author L Frank Baum – a series which also includes The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz.

In Baum’s works, Elphaba is known as the Wicked Witch Of The West and Glinda as the Good Witch Of The South.

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‘Amazing singers’: Wicked’s London premiere

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Earlier this week, the stars of the movie attended the London premiere at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre.

Jon M Chu, the film’s director, channelled the Emerald City of Oz in a forest green velvet suit jacket with a black bow tie and trousers, finishing the look with a pair of silver infinity glasses.

Erivo and Grande took inspiration from the original musical production, opting for black and yellow outfits respectively.

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Paul Mescal bluntly appraises his meeting with the King at Gladiator II premiere

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Paul Mescal bluntly appraises his meeting with the King at Gladiator II premiere

Irish actor Paul Mescal says meeting King Charles was not on his “list of priorities”.

The 28-year-old star was introduced to the reigning monarch at the Gladiator II world premiere in London last week.

The historical epic picks up 20 years after the Oscar-winning original, and marks Mescal‘s first big studio movie after success in TV and independent film, playing Roman warrior Lucius Verus.

King Charles greeted the Gladiator II stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington at the premiere in London.
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The King greets the film’s stars at the world premiere

Talking about his brush with royalty on the red carpet, Mescal told US outlet Variety he did not see it coming.

Speaking at the film’s Los Angeles premiere, Mescal said: “How wild is it? It’s definitely not something that I thought was in the bingo cards.

“I’m Irish, so it’s not on the list of priorities”.

He then swiftly turned the answer to the film’s 86-year-old director, Ridley Scott, saying: “It’s an amazing thing for Ridley because I know how important that is for him.

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“So, to see his film celebrated in that context was pretty special.”

Ahead of the premiere, both Mescal and Scott had enjoyed a champagne reception at Buckingham Palace, and so were already in a celebratory mood on their arrival.

Due to the large number of people at the event, Mescal admitted it was also hard to hear what was being said during his exchange with the King, so he was “nodding along and smiling”.

Pic: Paramount Pictures
Image:
Pic: Paramount Pictures

The world premiere was held in aid of the Film and TV Charity, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, and marked the first premiere Charles attended as King.

The King also met with Mescal’s co-stars including Oscar-winner Denzel Washington and Narcos actor Pedro Pascal.

Other celebrities to attend included actor Joseph Fiennes and TV presenter Claudia Winkleman.

Reviews of the film have been mixed thanks to its more-is-more attitude to CGI and OTT storylines, but there is broad agreement that audiences will leave the cinema somewhat entertained.

Paul Mescal and director Ridley Scott on the set of Gladiator II. Pic: Paramount Pictures
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Mescal and Scott on set. Pic: Paramount Pictures

Speaking to Sky News at the London event, Mescal said being part of the movie was a “wildly… overwhelming” experience“.

Sir Ridley – who cast Mescal in the role after a brief Zoom chat with the actor – told Sky News his reason for choosing him was that he saw aspects of “a young Albert Finney” in him.

The original Gladiator starred Russell Crowe as Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius. The Australian actor does not return for the sequel.

Joaquin Phoenix also had a starring role in the first film, which Scott later admitted he nearly walked out of.

Both Mescal and Scott have teased that they would both be up for a third film.

Gladiator II is in cinemas now.

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Zoe Ball to leave her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show – and will be replaced by Scott Mills

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Zoe Ball to leave her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show - and will be replaced by Scott Mills

Zoe Ball is leaving her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show after six years.

The 53-year-old, who recently lost her mother to cancer, will present her last show on Friday, 20 December.

BBC Radio 2 presenters Zoe Ball and Scott Mills leaving Wogan House.
Pic: PA
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Ball leaves Wogan House with her replacement, Scott Mills. Pic: PA

She said she was leaving to focus on family, but will remain part of the Radio 2 team and will give further details next year.

Announcing the news on her Tuesday show, she said: “After six years of fun times alongside you all on the breakfast show, I’ve decided it’s time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter.

“You know I think the world of you all, listeners, and it truly has been such a privilege to share the mornings with you, to go through life’s little ups and downs, we got through the lockdown together, didn’t we?

“We’ve shared a hell of a lot, the good times, the tough times, there’s been a lot of laughter. And I am going to miss you cats.”

Scott Mills will replace Ball on the breakfast show following her departure next month.

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“Zoe and I have been such good friends now for over 25 years and have spent much of that time as part of the same radio family here at Radio 2 and also on Radio 1,” he said.

“She’s done an incredible job on this show over the past six years, and I am beyond excited to be handed the baton.”

Hugging outside the BBC building on the day of the announcement, Ball said she was “really chuffed for my mate and really excited about it”.

Ball was the first female host of both the BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 breakfast shows, starting at the Radio 1 breakfast show in 1998, and taking over her current Radio 2 role from Chris Evans in 2020 after he left the show.

She took a break from hosting her show over the summer, returning in September.

Ahead of her stint in radio, Ball – who is the daughter of children’s presenter Johnny Ball – co-hosted the BBC’s Saturday morning children’s magazine show Live & Kicking alongside Jamie Theakston for three years from 1996.

She has two children, Woody and Nelly, with her ex-husband, DJ and musician Norman Cook, known professionally as Fatboy Slim.

Ball said in her announcement her last show towards the end of December will be “just in time for Christmas with plenty of fun and shenanigans”.

“While I’m stepping away from the Breakfast Show, I’m not disappearing entirely – I’ll still be a part of the Radio 2 family, with more news in the New Year,” she added.

“I’m excited to embrace my next chapter, including being a mum in the mornings, and I can’t wait to tune in on the school run!”

Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said: “Zoe has woken up the nation on Radio 2 with incredible warmth, wit and so much joy since January 2019, and I’d like to thank her for approaching each show with as much vim and vigour as if it were her first. I’m thrilled that she’ll remain an important part of the Radio 2 family.”

Mills, 51, got his first presenting role aged just 16 for a local station in Hampshire, and went on to present in Bristol and Manchester, before joining BBC Radio 1 in 1998.

He got his first permanent role on Radio 2 in 2022, replacing Steve Wright, after previously working as a cover presenter on the station.

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