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Orlando Bloom will be joining the cast of Peppa Pig next year, playing a jeweller called Mr Raccoon.

The Pirates Of The Caribbean star will play Mr Raccoon the jeweller alongside his fiancee Katy Perry, who it was previously announced will be playing dressmaker Ms Leopard.

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom attend the LA premiere of Amazon's "Carnival Row" at TCL Chinese Theatre on August 21, 2019 in Hollywood, California
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Perry and Bloom got engaged in 2019

The couple, who have been engaged for four years and who share a daughter, Daisy Dove, will star in a three-part episode celebrating the show’s 20th anniversary.

According to the show description, Mr Raccoon will assist Peppa and her friends with preparations for Mr Bull and Mrs Cow’s nuptials.

It’s the first wedding to take place on the pre-school show.

Sharing the news of Bloom’s guest appearance, the show’s official social media pages called it “Oinktastic news!” and clarified that both the casting and filming of the episodes had taken place ahead of the US actors and writers strikes which have held up the industry over recent months.

Olivier Dumont, the president of Peppa Pig’s parent company, eOne, said it was an “honour” to have Bloom, 46 on board, adding: “Orlando is an extraordinary actor, dad and philanthropist, and we’re proud to have him join the Peppa roster”.

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As well as his three-year-old daughter with Perry, 38, Bloom has a 12-year-old son Flynn with his ex-wife Miranda Kerr.

Peppa Pig first aired in 2004 and has been translated into more than 40 languages and broadcast in over 180 territories throughout its 10 seasons.

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In 2021 it was the second most in-demand cartoon in America (beaten only by SpongeBob SquarePants), with acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino hailing it “the greatest British import of this decade” the following year.

Such is its influence, that it’s been blamed for the “Peppa effect” after American children began saying “mummy” instead of “mommy” and pronouncing tomato in the British way.

Last year, former British Prime minister Boris Johnson was ridiculed after enthusiastically discussing a visit to Pepper Pig World theme park in Hampshire during a speech to business leaders.

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Peppa Pig follows a four-year-old pig who lives with her family – younger brother George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig.

Bloom’s next big screen role will be quite the contrast, having recently landed the lead role in The Cut, a psychological thriller set in the world of boxing.

He will play a former professional boxer who is brought out of retirement to win back his championship title, but spirals out of control due to his gruelling training regime.

Peppa Pig Wedding Party Special will premiere in spring 2024.

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Terence Stamp, Superman villain and star of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, has died

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Terence Stamp, Superman villain and star of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, has died

British actor Terence Stamp – who famously played General Zod in Superman and Superman II – has died at the age of 87.

The Oscar-nominated actor, who was born in London’s East End, also starred in hits such as Theorem, A Season in Hell, and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

He formed one of Britain’s most glamorous couples with Julie Christie, with whom he starred in “Far From the Madding Crowd” in 1967.

In a statement, his family said: “He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come.”

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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
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Topshop held a catwalk in Trafalgar Square. Pic: PA

A model on the catwalk
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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
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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
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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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