Best-selling author of books for adults and children Neil Gaiman has denied allegations he engaged in non-consensual sex with several women.
A New York Magazine article detailed allegations of assault, abuse, and coercion levelled against the 64-year-old by eight women. A Tortoise Media podcast broadcast in July included allegations of four of these women.
Gaiman said in a statement that he had watched stories about him circulate online for months with “horror and dismay”.
“As I read through this latest collection of accounts, there are moments I half-recognise and moments I don’t, descriptions of things that happened sitting beside things that emphatically did not happen,” Gaiman posted on the social media platform Tumblr.
“I’m far from a perfect person, but I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever.”
The British author said he had reviewed messages exchanged with his accusers, and they read like “two people enjoying entirely consensual sexual relationships and wanting to see one another again,” he said.
“And I also realise, looking through them, years later, that I could have and should have done so much better. I was emotionally unavailable while being sexually available, self-focused and not as thoughtful as I could or should have been. I was obviously careless with people’s hearts and feelings, and that’s something that I really, deeply regret,” Gaiman said.
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Most of the allegations relate to occasions when Gaiman was in his 40s or older and living in the UK, the US and New Zealand.
Gaiman, who wrote the novel American Gods and The Sandman comic book series as well as the children’s fantasy book Coraline, has had several works turned into movies and television programmes in recent years.
The author’s agent and recent publisher Bloomsbury, as well as Amazon Prime Video and Netflix which have Gaiman-related projects scheduled for this year, have not commented on the allegations.
This year’s BAFTA nominations have been revealed, with papal thriller Conclave leading the race.
Starring Ralph Fiennes as a clergyman responsible for the selection of the next Pope, the film is up for 12 awards – including best film, best director, best actor, and best supporting actress for Isabella Rossellini.
Spanish-language musical Emilia Perez, which tells the story of a Mexican cartel boss who undergoes gender affirmation surgery, is another best film nominee and has 11 BAFTAnods in total – with star Karla Sofía Gascón up for best actress and co-stars Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez both in the running in the supporting actress category.
The Brutalist, an epic drama starring Adrien Brody as a Hungarian architect attempting to build a life in the US after the Second World War, has nine nominations – including best film and best actor, and supporting nods for co-stars Guy Pearce and Felicity Jones.
Elsewhere there are seven nominations each for Wicked, Anora, and Dune: Part Two, six for A Complete Unknown and Kneecap, and five for Nosferatu and The Substance.
In the performance categories, Gascon is up against Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Hard Truths), Mikey Madison (Anora), Saoirse Ronan (The Outrun) and Demi Moore, whose performance in body horror The Substance won her a Golden Globe earlier this month.
Fiennes and Brody’s best actor competitors are Timothee Chalamet, for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, along with Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), Hugh Grant (Heretic) and Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice).
Kieran Culkin, another recent Golden Globe winner, makes the best supporting actor shortlist once again for his performance in A Real Pain, alongside Pearce and Yura Borisov (Anora), Clarence Maclin (Sing Sing), Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown) and Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice).
Ariana Grande, who stars as Glinda opposite Erivo’s Elphaba in Wicked, and Jamie Lee Curtis, for her performance in The Last Showgirl, make up the best supporting actress shortlist.
For 14 of the 24 acting nominees – including Culkin, Grande, Gascon, Gomez and Moore – it is their first BAFTA film nomination.
Erivo and Chalamet are both previous recipients of the rising star award, which is voted for by the public.
In the best director category, Conclave’s Edward Berger is in the running alongside Brady Corbet, for The Brutalist, Denis Villeneuve, for Dune: Part Two, Jacques Audiard for Emilia Perez, Coralie Fargeat for The Substance, and Sean Baker for Anora.
Baker also has nominations for best original screenplay, casting and editing, making him the most nominated individual this year.
The BAFTAs also includes a category for outstanding British film, with Conclave also shortlisted here alongside films including Steve McQueen’s Blitz, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, and Irish-language film Kneecap – which stars the rap trio of the same name in a semi-autobiographical account of their rise to fame.
In total, there are 42 films up for awards, spanning a range of genres.
“The film industry has delivered in spades once again,” said BAFTA chief executive Jane Millichip.
“The skills on display from creative and technical practitioners across the board are phenomenal,” added BAFTA chair Sara Putt.
Could this be the most competitive BAFTAs for years?
What do you get if you bring several priests, a Mexican cartel leader and an architect together under one roof?
Not the world’s most niche fancy dress party, but 2025’s BAFTA film awards shortlist.
Jazz hands and jump scares are the order of the day. Horror is unusually well represented this year, with The Substance, Heretic and Nosferatu all receiving nods, while musicals are also dominating thanks to Emilia Perez, Wicked and, arguably, the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown.
Speaking of music, it’s very good news for Irish language rappers Kneecap, whose self-titled semi-true biopic is up for best British film and five other awards. It’s somewhat ironic given that while they rap about wanting Irish independence, the film qualifies as being British as they’re from Northern Ireland.
In the leading actress category, it’s all to play for as none of the nominees has ever won a BAFTA. Fans of ’90s nostalgia will be hoping the Demi-ssaince continues after Demi Moore’s Golden Globe win last month for her performance in body horror The Substance.
Hugh Grant, up for lead actor, last won that BAFTA back in 1995 for his breakthrough performance in Four Weddings And A Funeral. This time around, he’s in the running for a very different role, as a creepy killer in Heretic. He’s nominated alongside another ’90s winner – Ralph Fiennes, who last picked up a BAFTA for supporting actor in 1994.
The nominations this year really showcase a diverse range of genres – and with no clear frontrunners in some categories, could this be the most competitive BAFTAs we’ve seen in a while?
The nominees for this year’s rising star award, which is the only BAFTA prize voted for by the public, have already been announced, with Marisa Abela, Jharrel Jerome, David Jonsson, Mikey Madison and Nabhaan Rizwan in the running.
And Harry Potter star Warwick Davis has also been revealed as the recipient of this year’s BAFTA fellowship, the organisation’s highest honour, for his “trailblazing work” as an actor and for his charity supporting people with dwarfism.
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Marisa Abela is among the rising star nominees
The BAFTA nominations come at a difficult time for the industry, with the organisers of several US awards ceremonies, including the Oscars, pushing their own announcements back and holding more low-key events due to the wildfires in Los Angeles.
However, the Oscars ceremony is still currently scheduled to go ahead as planned on Sunday 2 March.
The BAFTA ceremony will be held at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday 16 February.
There are 42 films up for awards at this year’s BAFTA ceremony, from blockbusters to indie breakthroughs.
Organisers have now revealed the shortlists, with papal thriller Conclave leading the nominations, followed closely by Spanish-language musical Emilia Perez, and post-war epic The Brutalist.
The star-studded BAFTAceremony will take place in London on Sunday 16 February.
Here’s the full list of the stars and films up for each prize.
BEST FILM Anora The Brutalist A Complete Unknown Conclave Emilia Perez
OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM Bird Blitz Conclave Gladiator II Hard Truths Kneecap Lee Love Lies Bleeding The Outrun Wallace And Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER Hoard – Luna Carmoon (director/ writer) Kneecap – Rich Peppiatt (director, writer) Monkey Man – Dev Patel (director) Santosh – Sandhya Suri (director, writer), James Bowsher (producer), Balthazar de Ganay (producer) Sister Midnight – Karan Kandhari (director, writer)
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Related Topics:
FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE All We Imagine As Light Emilia Perez I’m Still Here Kneecap The Seed Of The Sacred Fig
DOCUMENTARY Black Box Diaries Daughters No Other Land Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story Will & Harper
ANIMATED FILM Flow Inside Out 2 Wallace And Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl The Wild Robot
CHILDREN’S & FAMILY FILM Flow Kensuke’s Kingdom Wallace And Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl The Wild Robot
DIRECTOR Anora – Sean Baker The Brutalist – Brady Corbet Conclave – Edward Berger Dune: Part Two – Denis Villeneuve Emilia Perez – Jacques Audiard The Substance – Coralie Fargeat
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Anora – Sean Baker The Brutalist – Brady Corbet & Mona Fastvold Kneecap – Rich Peppiatt, Naoise O Caireallain, Liam Og O Hannaidh, JJ O Dochartaigh A Real Pain – Jesse Eisenberg The Substance – Coralie Fargeat
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY A Complete Unknown – James Mangold and Jay Cocks Conclave – Peter Straughan Emilia Perez – Jacques Audiard Nickel Boys – RaMell Ross and Joslyn Barnes Sing Sing – Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence ‘Divine Eye’ Maclin, John ‘Divine G’ Whitfield
LEADING ACTRESS Cynthia Erivo – Wicked Karla Sofia Gascon – Emilia Perez Marianne Jean-Baptiste – Hard Truths Mikey Madison – Anora Demi Moore – The Substance Saoirse Ronan – The Outrun
LEADING ACTOR Adrien Brody – The Brutalist Timothee Chalamet – A Complete Unknown Colman Domingo – Sing Sing Ralph Fiennes – Conclave Hugh Grant – Heretic Sebastian Stan – The Apprentice
SUPPORTING ACTRESS Selena Gomez – Emilia Perez Ariana Grande – Wicked Felicity Jones – The Brutalist Jamie Lee Curtis – The Last Showgirl Isabella Rossellini – Conclave Zoe Saldana – Emilia Perez
SUPPORTING ACTOR Yura Borisov – Anora Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain Clarence Maclin – Sing Sing Edward Norton – A Complete Unknown Guy Pearce – The Brutalist Jeremy Strong – The Apprentice
CASTING Anora – Sean Baker, Samantha Quan The Apprentice – Stephanie Gorin, Carmen Cuba A Complete Unknown – Yesi Ramirez Conclave – Nina Gold, Martin Ware Kneecap – Carla Stronge
CINEMATOGRAPHY The Brutalist – Lol Crawley Conclave – Stephanie Fontaine Dune: Part Two – Greig Fraser Emilia Perez – Paul Guilhaume Nosferatu – Jarin Blaschke
EDITING Anora Conclave Dune: Part Two Emilia Perez Kneecap
COSTUME DESIGN Blitz A Complete Unknown Conclave Nosferatu Wicked
MAKE-UP & HAIR Dune: Part Two Emilia Perez Nosferatu The Substance Wicked
ORIGINAL SCORE The Brutalist Conclave Emilia Perez Nosferatu The Wild Robot
PRODUCTION DESIGN The Brutalist Conclave Dune: Part Two Nosferatu Wicked
SOUND Blitz Dune: Part Two Gladiator II The Substance Wicked
SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS Better Man Dune: Part Two Gladiator II Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes Wicked
BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION Adios Mog’s Christmas Wander To Wonder
BRITISH SHORT FILM The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing Marion Milk Rock, Paper, Scissors Stomach Bug
EE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public) Marisa Abela Jharrel Jerome David Jonsson Mikey Madison Nabhaan Rizwan
Singer Linda Nolan, who rose to fame alongside her sisters in The Nolans, has died after several years of battling cancer.
The Irish star, 65, and her sisters Coleen, Maureen, Bernie, Denise and Anne, had a run of hits in the late 1970s and ’80s – including the disco classic I’m In The Mood For Dancing.
Paying tribute on The Nolans‘ X account, her sisters described her as “a pop icon and beacon of hope”, who “faced incurable cancer with courage, grace and determination, inspiring millions”.
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Linda died peacefully in hospital this morning, “embraced with love and comfort” with her siblings by her side, her agent Dermot McNamara said in a statement.
“As a member of The Nolans, one of the most successful girl groups of all time, Linda achieved global success; becoming the first Irish act to sell over a million records worldwide, touring the world and selling over 30 million records,” he said.
“Her distinctive voice and magnetic stage presence brought joy to fans around the world, securing her place as an icon of British and Irish entertainment.
“Beyond her incredible career, Linda dedicated her life to helping others, helping raise over £20m for numerous charities, including Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society and Samaritans, amongst countless others. Her selflessness and tireless commitment to making a difference in the lives of others will forever be a cornerstone of her legacy.”
Linda’s death came after she was admitted to hospital with pneumonia over the weekend. She began receiving end-of-life care after slipping into a coma on Tuesday, Mr McNamara said.
Details of a celebration of the star’s “remarkable life” will be shared in due course, he added.
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Linda was born to Tommy and Maureen Nolan in Dublin on 23 February 1959, the sixth of eight children.
Her parents were both singers and keen to turn their young family into a musical troupe. Linda made her stage debut aged just four.
Those early years put the siblings on track for a career in show business which lasted for decades. As well as I’m In The Mood For Dancing, The Nolans had hits with Gotta Pull Myself Together, Attention To Me and Don’t Make Waves, and they also had their own TV specials.
At their height, they toured with Frank Sinatra and were reported to have outsold The Beatles in Japan.
Linda left the group in 1983, but later reformed with her sisters for several comeback performances. She also became known for musical theatre, most notably performing the role of Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers for three years from 2000.
Four siblings struck by cancer
Linda was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, and underwent a mastectomy to remove her left breast two days before her 47th birthday.
The sisters were diagnosed with different forms of the disease just days apart after they returned home from filming a series of their show, The Nolans Go Cruising. Linda had cancer of the liver, while Anne had breast cancer.
They went on to write Stronger Together, an account of their journey that included frank details of their treatments and the side effects.
But in 2023, Linda revealed the cancer had spread to her brain and she was beginning treatment as part of a new drug trial.
The Nolans lost their second-youngest sister, Bernie, to cancer in 2013, aged 52.
Linda’s husband of 26 years, Brian Hudson, died in 2007 after being diagnosed with skin cancer.
Anne Nolan is now cancer-free.
Tributes to star ‘who was always a joy’
TV star and singer Cheryl Baker and comedian Tommy Cannon are among those who have paid tribute.
“I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Linda Nolan,” Cannon wrote on X. “I had the pleasure of working with her on so many occasions, and she was always a joy – full of warmth and love. My thoughts and love are with the Nolan girls and the whole family.”
“The most incredible voice, the wickedest sense of humour, such a massive talent,” Baker wrote. “You’re with Brian now, Lin.”
Loose Women also sent its love to her family. Linda appeared as a guest panellist on the ITV chat show over the years, alongside her sister Coleen.
The Blackpool Grand Theatre described her as “a true Blackpool icon”.