Award-winning actress Dame Joan Plowright has died, her family says

Published

11 months ago

January 17, 2025

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Award-winning actress Dame Joan Plowright has died at the age of 95.

The British actress, who was married to Lord Laurence Olivier, was known for her Golden Globe award-winning performances in TV biopic Stalin and Enchanted April, for which she was also nominated for an Academy Award.

She also starred in The Entertainer, 101 Dalmatians and more recently The Spiderwick Chronicles and documentary Nothing Like A Dame.

“She enjoyed a long and illustrious career across theatre, film and TV over seven decades until blindness made her retire,” a family statement said.

It continued: “She cherished her last 10 years in Sussex with constant visits from friends and family, filled with much laughter and fond memories.”

She died surrounded by her family.

Theatres in London’s West End are planning to dim their lights for two minutes in honour of the dame.

The tribute will take place at 7pm on 21 January, with UK Theatre and Society of London Theatre co-chief executive Hannah Essex describing Dame Joan as “an iconic and deeply respected figure in the world of theatre”.

The family statement went on: “Joan is survived by her loving family: Tamsin and Wilf, Julie-Kate and Dan, Richard, Shelley, Troy, Ali, Jeremy, step-granddaughter and great granddaughter Kaya and Sophia, and great granddaughter soon to arrive.

“She survived her many challenges with Plowright grit and courageous determination to make the best of them, and that she certainly did.

“Rest in peace, Joan…”.

Dame Joan’s wedding to Lord Olivier in 1961 was the sensation of the year, and their marriage endured until he died in 1989.

She became a carer for him in his later years as he suffered through a series of chronic illnesses, including cancer.

Born in Scunthorpe, Dame Joan was educated at the local grammar school before winning a scholarship to the Old Vic Theatre School aged 17.

Her first stage appearance, in If Four Walls Told, was in 1948 and she later joined the English Theatre Company.

She received a damehood in the 2004 New Year honours.

Entertainment

Sabrina Carpenter hits out at ‘evil and disgusting’ White House video featuring her song

Published

35 mins ago

December 3, 2025

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Sabrina Carpenter hits out at 'evil and disgusting' White House video featuring her song

Sabrina Carpenter has hit out at an “evil and disgusting” White House video of migrants being detained that uses one of her songs.

“Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda,” the pop star posted on X.

The White House used part of Carpenter‘s upbeat song Juno over pictures of immigration agents handcuffing, chasing and detaining people.

It was posted on social media on Monday and has been viewed 1.2 million times so far.

President Trump‘s policy of sending officers into communities to forcibly round up illegal immigrants has proved controversial, with protests and legal challenges ongoing.

Mr Trump promised the biggest deportation in US history, but some of those detained have been living and working in the US for decades and have no criminal record.

Carpenter is not the only star to express disgust over the administration’s use of their music.

Olivia Rodrigo last month warned the White House not to “ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda” after All-American Bitch was used in a video urging undocumented migrants to leave voluntarily.

In July, English singer Jess Glynne also said she felt “sick” when her song from the viral Jet2 advert was used over footage of people in handcuffs being loaded on a plane.

Other artists have also previously hit out at Trump officials for using their music at political campaign events, including Guns N’ Roses, Foo Fighters, Celine Dion, Ozzy Osbourne and The Rolling Stones.

Entertainment

Holly Willoughby fined after colliding with moped and injuring rider

Published

14 hours ago

December 2, 2025

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Holly Willoughby fined after colliding with moped and injuring rider

TV presenter Holly Willoughby has been fined in court after she admitted driving without due care and attention when her car collided with a moped, injuring the rider.

The star, 44, pleaded guilty by post to the charge at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday but did not attend the hearing.

Willoughby was fined £1,653 alongside £130 in costs and a £661 victim surcharge and given six points on her licence, the Metropolitan Police said.

According to court documents, the incident happened on 28 August as she was driving her Mini Cooper near her home in Richmond, southwest London.

Police were called to Church Road, Barnes, following reports of a collision.

The rider of the moped, a 43-year-old man, was taken to hospital. His injuries were assessed as neither life-threatening nor life-changing.

Read more from Sky News:
Gavin Plumb loses appeal
Willoughby tells of ‘tough’ year

The presenter is best known for fronting Dancing On Ice as well as ITV daytime show This Morning, which she left in October 2023.

Entertainment

Sabrina Carpenter hits out at ‘evil and disgusting’ White House video featuring her song

Published

15 hours ago