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ITV show This Morning lost the title of best daytime show at the National Television Awards on Tuesday night. 

It is the first time in 12 years the show has left empty-handed from the awards as the shadow of the Phillip Schofield scandal lingers.

This Morning was beaten by BBC‘s The Repair Shop with its host Jay Blades noting it was a “rarity” for them to take home the prize.

Holly Willoughby (left) and Phillip Schofield in 2019
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Holly Willoughby (left) and Phillip Schofield in 2019

He praised his fellow nominees at This Morning, The Chase and Loose Women, saying: “We’re the new kids on the block and I’m glad we’ve won this time. I know it won’t be a regular thing so thank you.”

Meanwhile, BBC drama series Happy Valley and its star Sarah Lancashire also picked up three gongs at the annual awards ceremony held at The O2 in London.

It won the returning drama prize, while Lancashire won the best drama performance award and special recognition award.

Sarah Lancashire, winner of the Special Recognition award and the Drama Performance award for her work in "Happy Valley", with Sir Ian McKellen at the National Television Awards at the O2 Arena, London. Picture date: Tuesday September 5, 2023.
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Sarah Lancashire, winner of the Special Recognition award and the Drama Performance award, with Sir Ian McKellen

Lewis Capaldi’s Netflix hit How I’m Feeling Now, picked up the award for authored documentary – beating Rob Burrow: Living With MND, Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction and the documentary following the late Dame Deborah James, who set up the Bowelbabe cancer research fund and died last year aged 40.

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The Scottish singer-songwriter, 26, was unable to collect the award in person as he is currently in the US but sent a video message in which he said: “I have to say thank you so so so much if you voted or even if you just watched the documentary, it genuinely means the world and it never ceases to blow me away how much this documentary has connected with people and struck a chord.”

Reality TV series Gogglebox took home the Bruce Forsyth entertainment award, beating The Masked Singer and Ant and Dec, who were nominated for two of their shows, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and Saturday Night Takeaway.

But the Geordie duo further cemented their run as the kings of prime-time television after winning the best TV presenter prize for the 22nd consecutive time.

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly winners of the TV Presenter award at the National Television Awards at the O2 Arena, London. Picture date: Tuesday September 5, 2023.
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Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly – winners of the TV Presenter award

As the pair collected their award, Donnelly admitted that his heart was beating in his chest, adding: “We are as humbled and grateful tonight as we were when we won it for the first time.”

McPartlin added that they will continue to present “as long as you want us to”.

BBC’s The Traitors won best reality competition while The Graham Norton Show won in the new TV interviews category, beating Piers Morgan Uncensored on Talk TV, Louis Theroux Interviews… and The Chris & Rosie Ramsey Show to claim the prize.

Alison Hammond arrives for the National Television Awards at the O2 Arena, London. Picture date: Tuesday September 5, 2023.
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Alison Hammond

Norton appeared via video to collect the award, saying: “I’m so sorry I can’t be there. Finally, I win a National Television Award and I’m not there.”

“This award, winning it means so much. Mostly it means that Ant and Dec don’t have a talk show… yet. Don’t do it to me, boys,” he added.

Strictly Come Dancing picked up the talent show prize, EastEnders claimed the serial drama gong while Netflix hit Wednesday, which stars Jenna Ortega as the Addams Family character Wednesday Addams, won the new drama award.

Joel Dommett and Hannah Cooper arrive for the National Television Awards at the O2 Arena, London. Picture date: Tuesday September 5, 2023.
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Host Joel Dommett and Hannah Cooper

The show also paid tribute to the late Paul O’Grady and played a montage of some of his career highlights, with host Joel Dommett remembering his “kindness” which was coupled with a “unique sense of fun that won over audiences in an instant”.

The TV star, who died “unexpectedly but peacefully” aged 67 in March, also won the factual entertainment prize for his TV show For The Love Of Dogs.

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Cara Delevingne reveals how Topshop inspired her fashion sense – as brand relaunches in London

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Cara Delevingne reveals how Topshop inspired her fashion sense - as brand relaunches in London

Fashion brand Topshop celebrated its relaunch with its first catwalk in seven years.

The company’s website promised everyone was invited as models strutted down a runway on Trafalgar Square in front of noughties fashion icons Cara Delevingne and Adwoa Aboah and the London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.

The label has been operating on the online fashion platform ASOS after ceasing to operate as a standalone business in 2020.

Topshop held a catwalk in Trafalgar Square. Pic: PA
Image:
Topshop held a catwalk in Trafalgar Square. Pic: PA

A model on the catwalk
Image:
A model on the catwalk

Its previous owner, Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia group, collapsed into administration and all of Topshop’s physical stores – including the Oxford Circus flagship in London’s West End – closed soon after.

Delevingne told Sky News she was “totally blown away” by the relaunch event.

“It was like nostalgia mixed with something eclectic but also something brand new,” she said.

“For me, it really brings back a time of exploration of my own fashion sense because I think for me at Topshop I got to discover so much.”

The model, who is working on a capsule collection for next year, has already unveiled a choice edit in this year’s show and said her relationship with Topshop precedes her fame.

She said: “I would go in and my friends would be like ‘you would look good in that’ and I would go ‘no, that’s not really me’, and then you’d try it on and be like ‘oh maybe I can explore more’.

“They really have everything for everyone, and I feel like they brought that back.”

The runway showcased highlights from its Autumn-Winter 2025 collection, as well as an early preview of pieces set to drop later this season, including showstopper gowns, the classic white tee, and an aloe vera-coloured faux fur coat that surely should not have been on display – to prevent just about everyone rushing to buy it.

Topshop's relaunch was staged at Trafalgar Square
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Topshop’s relaunch was staged at Trafalgar Square

Models in front of the National Gallery in London's Trafalgar Square. Pic: PA
Image:
Models in front of the National Gallery in London’s Trafalgar Square. Pic: PA

Reclaiming the high street

But sharp tailoring and statement outerwear suggest the brand is ready to reclaim the high street.

Must-have denim pieces completed the womenswear line-up while the Topman collection screamed modern utility by blending refined formal wear with sharp new silhouettes.

Casual pieces are grounded by authentic denim in deep indigos, which stood out on Trafalgar Square’s magnificent stone steps.

Topshop’s relaunch comes as the high street continues to struggle and as the UK operation of Chinese fashion giant Shein announced pre-tax profits of £38.3m for the year, up some £14m from 2023.

‘Top end of the market’

Moses Rashid, global marketing director at Topshop/Topman said they are competing in a different space.

Topshop has been operating on the online fashion platform ASOS after ceasing to operate as a standalone business in 2020
Image:
Topshop has been operating on the online fashion platform ASOS after ceasing to operate as a standalone business in 2020

“We’re at the top end of the market. We’re about elevation. We pride ourselves on the quality of the product,” he said.

Those products are being designed in north London, and managing director Michelle Wilson said the aim is to stay that way.

“We are a British brand, we want to be a positive force for fashion. We want to bring London to the world. It’s fundamental to who we are as a brand, our style is very much London-driven.”

The majority Danish-owned company has suggested it will slow fashion down by opening physical stores where customers can touch the products, browse collections and try things on, though the flagship on Oxford Circus is unlikely to return because a Swedish fast furniture brand has since occupied the space.

Designer Wayne Hemingway has previously collaborated with Topshop and said the relaunch must be more than nostalgia.

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“They can’t rely on their old customers because their old customers have now got kids of their own to spend their money on, and they’ve got mortgages and all of those things of what being an adult means.

“They’ve got to have designers, marketeers, people who understand – who are on the pulse – who understood, number one, what was a success back then, and also a young generation of people who are there saying, ‘this is what our generation needs’, and who are bright and can help deliver that. They can’t rely on the past.”

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Comedian Milton Jones reveals he’s cancer free

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Comedian Milton Jones reveals he's cancer free

Comedian Milton Jones has revealed he is cancer free after being treated for prostate cancer.

In April, the 61-year-old, who is known for his appearances on Mock The Week, announced he was cancelling a number of UK tour dates to undergo surgery.

Jones said in a statement: “A few months ago, I had to stop my tour HA!MILTON because I needed treatment for prostate cancer. I’m glad to say I’ve had that treatment and am now cancer-free!

“So, many thanks to all the doctors and nurses who helped me get better – I couldn’t do their job (I tried, but apparently you have to be qualified).”

Thanking his family, friends and fans, he went on to joke: “I have to admit there were a few dark moments when I wondered if anyone would ever see me again, but then I realised that I was leaning against the light switch.

“Thankfully, I’m now in a completely different place, and if you look at my website, you’ll see that very soon I’ll be in lots of other different places on tour too”.

Jones picks up his tour on 15 September in Stafford, touring until the end of November 2025.

The show, whose name is a play on the title of the hit musical Hamilton, promises laughter and unforgettable comedy moments, as well as jokes about giraffes and tomatoes.

The Richmond-born comedian has been hailed as the king of the one-liner, basing his jokes on clever wordplay and surreal humour.

He has performed on Live At The Apollo, Lee Mack’s All Star Cast, and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow.

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Taylor Swift reveals release date for new album

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Taylor Swift reveals release date for new album

Taylor Swift has revealed the release date for her new album, The Life Of A Showgirl.

The pop megastar announced her 12th studio album earlier this week but didn’t give many details.

Now, in social media posts and an appearance on boyfriend Travis Kelce’s sports podcast, Swift revealed just what fans can expect from the new album.

Taylor Swift and boyfriend Travis Kelce on the New Heights podcast. Pic: New Heights
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Taylor Swift and boyfriend Travis Kelce on the New Heights podcast. Pic: New Heights

The Life of Showgirl, written during the European leg of her record-breaking Eras tour, will be released on 3 October.

It consists of 12 songs, including the title track that features pop star Sabrina Carpenter.

The full track list is:

1. The Fate Of Ophelia
2. Elizabeth Taylor
3. Opalite
4. Father Figure
5. Eldest Daughter
6. Ruin The Friendship
7. Actually Romantic
8. Wi$h Li$t
9. Wood
10. Cancelled!
11. Honey
12. The Life Of A Showgirl (featuring Sabrina Carpenter)

Long-time collaborators Max Martin and Shellback, two Swedish producers who worked with Swift on some of her biggest hits, joined the pop star for this album.

Within four hours of posting the full podcast episode on YouTube, it had already gathered 4.7m views.

The cover of Taylor Swift's newly announced album. Pic: Republic Records
Image:
The cover of Taylor Swift’s newly announced album. Pic: Republic Records

The back cover of Taylor Swift's 12th studio album The Life Of A Showgirl. Pic: 	Republic Records
Image:
The back cover of Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album The Life Of A Showgirl. Pic: Republic Records

‘The hardest-working star in pop’

The album follows last year’s The Tortured Poets Department, which was released during the Eras tour.

That tour, with shows on five continents and in 51 cities, raked in more than $2.2bn (£1.62bn) and was the highest-grossing tour of all time.

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“This album is about what was going on behind the scenes in my inner life during this tour, which was so exuberant and electric and vibrant,” Swift said during her podcast appearance.

Sky News culture and entertainment reporter Gemma Peplow said after her globe-trotting tour and a swathe of re-releases over recent years, the new album cemented Swift’s reputation “as the hardest-working star in pop”.

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