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Actor, writer and director Darren Kent – who appeared in Game of Thrones and EastEnders – has died aged 36.

Appearing in Game Of Thrones in 2014, he played a grieving father – Goatherd – taking his dead child to see Daenerys Targaryen, Mother Of Dragons, played by Emilia Clarke.

He also had TV roles in EastEnders, TV mini-series Les Misérables and recent ITV drama Malpractice, as well as a brief appearance in the film Dungeons And Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, released earlier this year.

Darren Kent with Emilia Clarke in Game Of Thrones in 2014. Pic: Facebook
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Kent (centre) on the Game Of Thrones set in 2014

Kent’s death was announced by his agent, Carey Dodd Associates, which wrote on Facebook: “It is with deep sadness we have to tell you that our dear friend and client Darren Kent passed away peacefully on Friday.

“His parents and best friend by his side. Our thoughts and love are with his family in this difficult time.

“Darren was not only a talented actor, director and writer, he was truly one of the kindest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

“It has been a privilege and pleasure to have been a part of his journey. RIP my friend.”

No cause of death was given.

Industry friends paid tribute online, including writer-director Jane Gull. Posting on X, formerly Twitter, she said: “What a privilege it was to be your friend and to work together on so many projects over the years.

“Life won’t be the same without you. I will miss you so much. RIP darling Darren Kent xxxx.”

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Makers of the film Love Without Walls wrote: “With heavy hearts, we share the heartbreaking news of our dear friend @darrenpaulkent’s passing.

“An acting luminary whose creativity inspired and left an indelible mark on and off-screen. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this devastating time.”

Screenwriter Ben Trebilcook wrote: “Love and thoughts to the friends and family of our talented, caring soul of a friend, Darren Kent, who sadly passed away on Friday.

“Darren, an Essex writer, actor and director, directed our award winning short You Know Me. A true character who was Always creating and forever upbeat and encouraging, Darren will be sorely missed.”

Gogglebox star Sandi Bogle, who appeared with the actor in a 2019 short film, wrote: “My heart is broken my long time amazing, wonderful great friend Darren Kent has passed away my condolences to his family May he rest in peace he is one of Gods (sic) beautiful Angels he will be truly missed.”

Born in Essex, with a strong London accent, Kent trained at Italia Conti drama school, graduating in 2007.

His first film role was in 2008 horror Mirrors, starring Kiefer Sutherland.

Kent won best actor at the Van D’or Awards in 2012 for his portrayal of the character Danny, in the short film Sunnyboy.

Away from acting, Kent also directed an episode of the 2021 BBC monologue series The Break, showcasing up-and-coming UK writers, and short film You Know Me.

His last performance was in the short film Birds Sorrow.

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Mariah Carey to perform at Sandringham

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Mariah Carey to perform at Sandringham

Mariah Carey is set to perform an exclusive concert at a royal estate.

The US megastar is lined up to headline Heritage Live at Sandringham in Norfolk on 15 August.

Also set to perform on the same day of the festival are Nile Rodgers & Chic and British R&B group Eternal.

It will be the second UK show for the singer this summer, as she has also been confirmed as the headliner for the Brighton Pride Festival on 2 August.

The singer was previously lined up for the event in 2020, which was later cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.

Giles Cooper of Heritage Live Festivals, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to bring one of the greatest pop artists of all time to the Royal Sandringham Estate for an exclusive UK headline show.

Mariah Carey is an award-winner, a record-breaker, and an absolute global icon – this show will be historic.

“Mariah’s live show is second to none and with such a catalogue of huge hit singles, it’s going to be an incredible occasion. It will most definitely be an ‘I was there’ event that will live in all of our memories forever.”

Carey has 19 number one US singles to her name, more than any other solo artist in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

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Her best-known hits include Vision of Love, Fantasy, Emotions and the festive favourite All I Want For Christmas Is You – which turned 30 at the end of last year.

Sandringham is described as the “much-loved country estate” of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The Royal Family traditionally spend Christmas at Sandringham.

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Timothee Chalamet and Demi Moore among winners at SAG Awards – a major Oscars predictor

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Timothee Chalamet and Demi Moore among winners at SAG Awards - a major Oscars predictor

The winners of this year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) have been revealed – a major predictor of the Oscars, with just a week to go.

Demi Moore continued her run of success to be named best actress for her performance in body horror The Substance, while Timothee Chalamet picked up the award for best actor for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.

Demi Moore wins best actress at the SAG Awards for her performance in The Substance. Pic: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
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Demi Moore adds yet another tropy to her collection for her performance in The Substance. Pic: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

While not a complete shock, before this Adrien Brody had probably just nudged it as favourite for an Oscar win for his performance in post-war epic The Brutalist.

Now, the race is closer than it has been in years – and both Chalamet, 29, and Moore, 62, could be on course for their first Academy Awards.

Following a BAFTA win earlier this month, papal thriller Conclave was honoured with the top film prize, for best ensemble.

Starring Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini and Stanley Tucci, the film follows the drama of the selection process for a new pope.

Sergio Castellitto, from left, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, and Ralph Fiennes, winners of the SAG Awards outstanding performance by a cast prize for Conclave. Pic: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
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Conclave stars (L-R) Sergio Castellitto, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini and Ralph Fiennes with the ensemble cast award. Pic: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

During the ceremony, Rossellini said the film’s cast wanted to send their best wishes to Pope Francis, who is being treated in hospital for pneumonia and bronchitis, and wish him “a quick recovery”.

Elsewhere, the supporting categories were true to 2025 awards season form – Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldana continued their runs of success with wins for performances in A Real Pain and Emilia Perez respectively.

‘I want to be one of the greats’

Timothee Chalamet and mum Nicole Flender at the SAG Awards 2025, following his best actor win for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. Pic: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
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Chalamet attended with his mum, Nicole Flender. Pic: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

The awards are voted for by members of the SAG-AFTRA union and are held as a celebration of actors honoured by their peers.

For the best male actor announcement, Chalamet looked visibly surprised as his name was called.

After being accompanied by girlfriend Kylie Jenner to the BAFTAs last week, this time round he was celebrating with his mum, Nicole Flender.

“The truth is, this was five-and-a-half years of my life. I poured everything I had into playing this incomparable artist, Mr. Bob Dylan, a true American hero,” he said on stage. “It was the honour of a lifetime playing him.”

Making no secret of his ambitions, he added: “The truth is I’m really in pursuit of greatness. I know people don’t usually talk like that, but I want to be one of the greats.”

Moore said joining SAG-AFTRA as a teenager in 1978 gave her meaning as “a kid on my own who had no blueprint for life”.

Jane Fonda accepts the lifetime achievement prize at the SAG Awards. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello
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Jane Fonda was honoured with a lifetime achievement award. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello

Actress and activist Jane Fonda, 87, provided the ceremony’s most passionate political moment as she was honoured with a lifetime achievement prize.

“We are in our documentary moment,” she said. “This is it. And it’s not a rehearsal.”

The word “woke”, she added, “just means you give a damn” about others.

The TV winners

Tommy Bastow, from left, Shinnosuke Abe, Moeka Hoshi, Hiroyuki Sanada, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano, and Hiroto Kanai, winners of the award for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series for "Shogun," pose press room during the 31st annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
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Shogun stars (L-R) Tommy Bastow, Shinnosuke Abe, Moeka Hoshi, Hiroyuki Sanada, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano and Hiroto Kanai. Pic: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

The SAG Awards also include TV categories, with Japanese historical drama Shogun picking up the gong for best ensemble and its stars, Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, named best actor and actress.

Only Murders In The Building took home the prize for best comedy ensemble, with star Martin Short named best actor in a comedy series.

Jean Smart, who had previously called for cancelling the awards shows due to the wildfires that hit LA in January, was named best actress in a comedy, for her role in Hacks. She did not attend, but gave a recorded introduction.

In the limited series category, British star Jessica Gunning was named best actress for Baby Reindeer, while Irish star Colin Farrell was named best actor for The Penguin.

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‘I felt like a trespasser and imposter’: Louis Theroux to be awarded prestigious NFTS fellowship

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'I felt like a trespasser and imposter': Louis Theroux to be awarded prestigious NFTS fellowship

Louis Theroux will be honoured with the prestigious National Film and Television School (NFTS) fellowship next month.

The renowned interviewer – who has been working in the business for over three decades, and whose Weird Weekends were the stuff of legend – admits he initially felt like “a trespasser” and “imposter” in his front-of-screen role.

Theroux with the film school students. Pic: NFTS
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Theroux with students at the National Film and Television School. Pic: NFTS

Never going to film school himself, the now world-famous presenter and documentarian got his first job as a print journalist in America after graduating from Oxford University.

His big break came on Michael Moore’s TV Nation series, as a roving reporter delving into offbeat culture, later striking up a deal with the BBC resulting in Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends.

A first-person storyteller, who disarms his subjects with charm, Theroux’s interviews frequently result in the unexpected.

Commenting on his upcoming award, Theroux said: “I came into the industry more than thirty years ago, feeling like a trespasser, an imposter, in a role meant for someone else, worrying that I would be found out, hoping I could keep going for a few more months, since I was enjoying it so much.

“All these years later, I’ve learned that ‘keeping going’ may be the best definition of success.”

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Admitting that like those just starting out in the field, he too is “still figuring things out”, he said he hoped the fellowship would give him the chance to “connect with younger people… sharing the few things I’ve learned, and more importantly learning from them”.

Louis Theroux at the Church of Scientology building in LA. Pic: BBC/BBCWorldwide
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Theroux at the Church of Scientology building in LA. Pic: BBC/BBCWorldwide

Theroux went on to interview a host of celebrities in When Louis Met…, including Jimmy Savile, who is now known to have been one of the UK’s most prolific sexual predators.

Haunted by the interaction, Theroux would go on to interview some of Savile’s victims in a follow-up 16 years later.

Theroux has also fronted various documentaries across BBC1 and BBC2 and released the 2016 feature-length documentary My Scientology Movie.

The author of several books, he currently hosts his own podcast series.

Louis Theroux and Nancy Strang attending the Virgin Media BAFTA TV awards, held at the Royal Festival Hall in London
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Theroux and his wife Nancy Strang in 2019. Pic: PA

In 2019, he set up his own production company, Mindhouse, with his wife Nancy Strang and filmmaker Arron Fellows, producing documentary film and TV series, as well as his podcast.

Theroux recently revealed he was suffering from alopecia, initially resulting in the loss of his eyebrows.

In true Theroux style, the 54-year-old has been documenting his hair loss journey on social media, seeking advice and sharing updates with his followers.

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NFTS chair Sophie Turner Laing praised Theroux’s “immense contribution” to the world of factual filmmaking, adding: “His ability to connect with audiences and uncover powerful human stories makes him a true icon in the industry.”

Previous recipients of the honorary fellowship include James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, Wallace And Gromit creator Nick Park, director Sam Mendes and children’s author Malorie Blackman.

NFTS graduates have gone on to win 15 Oscars and 166 BAFTAs since the school opened half a century ago, with current graduates’ work on show at the BFI Southbank from Monday 3 March to Thursday 6 March.

The fellowship will be awarded to Theroux during the school’s graduation ceremony on Friday 7 March.

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