Wim Hof film ‘on hold’ after allegations of abuse
A film about “The Iceman” Wim Hof has been put on hold after his former partner alleged he subjected her and her children to years of abuse.
It follows allegations in the Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant on Saturday that Hof physically and psychologically abused his ex-girlfriend, their son, and her two eldest children for thirteen years.
Hof, 65, has denied all allegations, has said he “is not violent,” and claimed his ex is on “the warpath” and “now wants to make it all seem different than it was”.
He has since filed a complaint for alleged defamation and slander.
Hof’s eldest son, Enahm Hof, who was mentioned in the article, said in a statement given to The Guardian newspaper that the allegations of abuse were “entirely false,” calling them “grossly exaggerated” and “deeply hurtful”.
He said his father “did not recognise” many of the accusations mentioned in the Dutch paper.
Sky News has reached out to representatives for Hof for comment.
The movie biopic had been set to star Joseph Fiennes as the eccentric health guru, who gained worldwide prominence for his love of cold-water training. Fiennes was also listed as a co-producer.
The British production company behind the film said in a statement: “Genesius Pictures can confirm that due to the severity of the allegations, this production, which was in development only and had not begun filming, is on hold”.
The film also had director Kevin Macdonald and screenwriter Jeff Pope attached, and was set to explore Hof’s rise to fame from a struggling single father and postman to a world-famous health guru, with a legion of celebrity fans.
Titled The Iceman, it was announced in 2022, and had previously been billed as an “inspiring”, “moving” and “at times very funny”.
The website for the film has since been taken offline.
Pic: Horst Galuschka/picture-alliance/dpa/AP
Controversial method
Born in the Netherlands, Hof, was one of nine children and has an identical twin brother. He is a father of four.
His first wife took her own life in 1995, with Hof previously saying his time spent in freezing water was the only time he didn’t think about the loss.
In 2007, Hof completed an Arctic marathon barefoot, but the same year had to abort a mission to climb Mount Everest wearing just shorts and sandals due to a foot injury.
Despite his fame and legion of celebrity fans, there has been controversy over his method of using freezing water and breathing techniques to improve health.
Family members of a number of people who died while allegedly attempting Hof’s methods have previously raised concerns over the safety of the wellness trend.
While the NHS says cold therapy can help reduce swelling and pain, it also says it can cause cold shock, which can lead to hyperventilation, increased blood pressure, and muscle weakness. It warns that it can be dangerous for people with heart conditions.
Thousands of members of actors’ trade union Equity are being asked whether they would support industrial action over artificial intelligence protections.
The organisation has launched an indicative ballot among about 7,000 members working in film and TV.
Performers are being asked whether they are prepared to refuse to be digitally scanned on set in order to secure adequate artificial intelligence protections.
It will be the first time the performing arts and entertainment trade union has asked this whole section of its membership to vote in a ballot.
The Hollywood strikes took place in 2023. File pic: AP
The announcement follows the Hollywood strikes in 2023, when members of Equity’s sister union in the US, SAG-AFTRA, and writers, went on strike over issues including AI.
Video game actors in the US also protested over the use of AI, ending almost a year of industrial action earlier in 2025.
Equity’s ballot opens on Thursday and runs for two weeks, and will show the level of support the union has for action short of a strike.
Another statutory ballot would have to be made before any industrial action is taken.
“While tech companies get away with stealing artists’ likeness or work, and the government and decision makers fret over whether to act, unions including Equity are at the forefront of the fight to ensure working people are protected from artificial intelligence misuse,” Equity general secretary Paul W Fleming said in a statement.
“If bosses can’t ensure someone’s likeness and work won’t be used without their consent, why should performers consent to be digitally scanned in the first place?”
Mr Fleming said the ballot would give members the opportunity to “send a clear message to the industry: that it is a basic right of performers to have autonomy over their own personhood and identity”.
The union has no choice but to recommend members support industrial action, he said.
“It’s time for the bosses to step away from the brink and offer us a package, including on AI protections, which respects our members,” added Mr Fleming.
The hotly anticipated Spotify Wrapped is revealing our top tracks, artists and albums for 2025.
But how does the streaming service calculate personalised summaries of users’ listening habits and rank the UK’s hottest artists?
Here’s a look at how your data is used.
The platform describes the annual statistics as “a chance to look back on your year in sound”.
It says data is captured between January and mid-November on every account, although it mostly excludes anything streamed in private mode. (Don’t worry, your passion for the Spice Girls can be kept secret.)
Wrapped presents personalised listening statistics, which Spotify calls the “real story of your year of listening”, alongside global figures for comparison.
The streaming service says Minutes Listened reflects the actual time spent listening to audio on the platform.
Once a user streams at least 30 tracks, Spotify generates a list of Your Top Songs. Similarly, Your Top Artists ranks artists based on total minutes listening to a particular performer.
Other metrics identify the top genres users have played, as well as podcasts and audiobooks ranked by total minutes listened. And if you’ve listened to at least 70% of tracks on a record, you’ll see top albums too.
Spotify also creates Your Listening Age, a guesstimate of your age based on the era of the music “you feel most connected to”.
The streaming service says the statistic is calculated using a five-year span of music which users engaged with more than other listeners of a similar age.
Spotify has been summing up 2025’s most listened to tracks. Pic: Spotify
Swift vs Bunny
Pop superstar Taylor Swift has been named the UK’s most-streamed artist on Spotify for the third year in a row.
But she dropped out of the top spot in the global rankings, coming second to Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, who secured more than 19.8 billion streams. Third were The Weeknd, followed by Drake and Billie Eilish.
Bad Bunny’s LP Debi Tirar Mas Fotos was the most listened-to album worldwide.
Read more from Sky News:
Sabrina Carpenter fury at video
Drake’s lawsuit dismissed
Spotify hikes UK prices
Spotify revealed Drake was the UK’s second most-listened to artist, followed by Sabrina Carpenter in third, The Weeknd in fourth and Billie Eilish in fifth.
Despite being the most listened-to artist, Swift failed to break into the UK’s top five most listened-to songs and albums of the year.
Alex Warren’s Ordinary was the most-streamed song, and Short ‘N’ Sweet, released by Carpenter last year, the top album.
-
Sports2 years agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports3 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Sports3 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment3 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment1 year agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024