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The Beatles’ last song has become their 18th number one single.

Now And Then was written and recorded by John Lennon in New York in the late 1970s, before being developed by the other band members, including George Harrison, in 1995.

Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono had given the recording to the remaining Beatles the previous year.

But technology at the time was more limited and the band were unhappy with the sound quality.

Beatles superfan, John Lennon, who changed his name by deed poll from Alan Williams in April 2022, holds the first copy of the newly released last Beatles song, Now And Then, following a special midnight launch event at HMV Liverpool, allowing fans in the home city of the four Beatles members to be the first to get their hands on the new music. Picture date: Friday November 3, 2023. Picture date: Friday November 3, 2023.
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Beatles superfan John Lennon, who changed his name by deed poll, was the first to buy a copy of Now And Then

Now, however, with the help of AI, Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Ringo Starr have finished it, more than four decades after it was started.

Filmmaker Peter Jackson’s recent Beatles documentary used audio restoration technology. That allows music and vocals to be isolated, a technique that was used on Now And Then.

Jackson also directed the new music video for the song which was released on Friday.

In its opening weekend, the song has outsold the rest of the top five combined, according to the Official Chart Company.

It is the Fab Four’s first chart-topper in 54 years, the last being The Ballad Of John And Yoko in 1969.

Previous number ones include All You Need Is Love, Help!, and Hey Jude.

File photo dated 01/06/67 of The Beatles (left to right) Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon, at a recording studio in London. Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Ringo Starr have spoken of their "emotional" feelings ahead of the release of what they are calling the last Beatles song. Now And Then, written and sung by John Lennon and later developed by the other band members including George Harrison, has been finished by Sir Paul and Sir Ringo decades after the original recordin
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The Beatles in June 1967

“I like the idea of not letting go of each other,” Sir Paul told The Sunday Times.

“You know, when you have somebody you love so much. In many cases it’s a relative, and even though they go, you don’t want to let go – that’s what people say when somebody dies.

“They’re in your memory, always in your heart. And, yes, that’s certainly true of me and the boys.”

Sir Ringo said he would like the group to be remembered “with love”.

The drummer added: “How many streams did we do last year? One billion? Three billion? It blows me away. The beat’s still going on, you know?”

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Jessie J diagnosed with early breast cancer

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Jessie J diagnosed with early breast cancer

Singer Jessie J has been diagnosed with “early breast cancer”. 

The Price Tag singer, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, said in a video posted to Instagram that she has recently spent a lot of time “in and out of tests”.

She said she will “disappear for a bit” after performing at Capital Radio’s Summertime Ball later this month to have surgery.

“I was diagnosed with early breast cancer,” the 37-year-old said during the video.

“Cancer sucks in any form, but I’m holding on to the word ‘early’.

“It’s a very dramatic way to get a boob job. I am going to disappear for a bit after Summertime Ball to have my surgery, and I will come back with massive tits and more music.”

Jessie J attending the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall, London. Picture date: Sunday
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Jessie J at the BAFTA awards earlier this year. Pic: PA

‘I need a hug’

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the UK.

The singer said sharing her diagnosis publicly has helped her process the news and show solidarity with others going through a similar experience.

“I just wanted to be open and share it,” she said.

“One, because, selfishly, I do not talk about it enough. I’m not processing it because I’m working so hard.

“I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support and also their own stories. I’m an open book.

“It breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much similar and worse – that’s the bit that kills me.”

She continued: “The timing of it has been mad but also beautiful and given me this incredible perspective in this time.

“But honestly I need to process it and talk about it and, I need a hug. You have loved me through all my good and hard times. And I don’t want this to be any different.”

‘I’m here for you’

Messages of support from celebrities flooded the comments section under the singer’s post.

Former Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock wrote: “Sending you so much love.”

Fellow singer Rita Ora said: “You’re literally my favourite person and I’m praying for you, you’ve got this. My mother had it and I know the surgery and any treatment on this matter is mentally tough, so I’m here for you.”

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London-born singer Jessie J welcomed her son, Sky Safir Cornish Colman, in 2023, having miscarried in November 2021.

She has battled with ill health throughout her life, having been diagnosed with a heart condition aged eight, suffering a minor stroke aged 18 and having briefly gone deaf in 2020.

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‘Each day is brighter and better’: Meghan shares photos of Lilibet to mark fourth birthday

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'Each day is brighter and better': Meghan shares photos of Lilibet to mark fourth birthday

The Duchess of Sussex has posted pictures of her daughter Lilibet in a touching message on her fourth birthday.

Meghan wrote on Instagram: “Happy birthday to our beautiful girl!

“Four years ago today, she came into our lives – and each day is brighter and better because of it. Thanks to all of those sending love and celebrating her special day!”

The Duchess of Sussex posted a birthday tribute to her daughter. Pic: Instagram
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Meghan also posted a picture of her holding Lilibet as a newborn

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Alongside the birthday wishes, Meghan posted two pictures of her with her daughter.

In one, the pair sport windswept hair with water behind them, while in the other, the Duchess holds her daughter – named after the late Queen, whose childhood nickname was Lilibet – as a newborn.

Last month, Meghan spoke about the challenges of balancing being an entrepreneur and a mother.

Alongside Prince Harry, the duchess stepped back from her duties as a senior working royal in 2020 – before starting a new life in the US.

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King Of The Hill and Parks And Recreation actor Jonathan Joss shot dead in Texas

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King Of The Hill and Parks And Recreation actor Jonathan Joss shot dead in Texas

An actor who appeared in animated series King Of The Hill and hit show Parks And Recreation has been shot dead near his home.

Jonathan Joss, 59, was found injured by police in San Antonio, Texas, on Sunday evening.

Officers tried to save him but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The actor’s husband claimed the gunman shouted “violent homophobic slurs” before opening fire, and that Joss had pushed him out the way to save his life.

“He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other,” alleged Tristan Kern de Gonzales on Facebook.

He said the couple had previously faced harassment from neighbours, much of it “openly homophobic”.

Joss’s husband said they had been checking for mail at his old home – which earlier this year burned down in a fire that killed their three dogs – when they noticed the skull of one of the animals in front of the property.

He said they began “yelling and crying” and claimed they were approached by a man who threatened them with a gun.

“We were standing side by side,” said Mr Kern de Gonzales. “When the man fired Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life.”

However, San Antonio police said it had found no evidence that the shooting was a hate crime.

“Should any new evidence come to light, we will charge the suspect accordingly,” said a statement.

A 56-year-old man, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, has already been charged with murder.

Joss is best known for voicing Native American character John Redcorn in cult show King Of The Hill, which ran for 13 series and more than 250 episodes from 1997 to 2009.

He also had a recurring role in NBC’s Parks And Recreation as tribal elder and casino owner Chief Ken Hotate.

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A King Of The Hill reboot is due to start in August and Joss had been in Austin, Texas, for events promoting the comeback the day before he was killed.

He posted a video on Instagram saying he was signing autographs at a comic book store, adding that he had already worked on four episodes of the revival.

“The fans get to revisit King Of the Hill again, which I think is an amazing thing because it’s a great show,” he said in the video.

The suspect is being held in a detention centre in San Antonio, but the lawyer representing him could not be traced as they were not listed in court records.

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