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Senior royals joined actor Daniel Craig and tennis star Emma Raducanu on the red carpet for James Bond’s long-awaited latest outing.

Craig told Sky News he is “greatly relieved” that the new 007 film, No Time To Die, is finally going to be shown in cinemas.

At the world premiere in London, the Bond star said: “We’ve had COVID so everything has to be put into perspective doesn’t it?

“I am greatly relieved: we make Bond movies for the cinema and we’re here and I couldn’t be happier about that.”

Britain's Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrive at the world premiere of the new James Bond film "No Time To Die" at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Britain, September 28, 2021. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls
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Prince William and Kate at the world premiere in London
Cast members Lashana Lynch, Daniel Craig and Lea Seydoux pose during the world premiere of the new James Bond film "No Time To Die" at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Britain, September 28, 2021. REUTERS/Toby Melville
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(L-R) Cast members Lashana Lynch, Daniel Craig and Lea Seydoux

The 53-year-old arrived at the premiere in a dark pink suede dinner jacket over a white shirt and black bow tie.

Several healthcare workers and members of the armed forces were joined by the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the premiere.

Charles, Camilla, William and Kate were on the red carpet, along with Craig and other members of the cast, including Rami Malek, Lea Seydoux and Lashana Lynch, at the Royal Albert Hall.

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British tennis player Emma Raducanu poses during the world premiere of the new James Bond film "No Time To Die" at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Britain, September 28, 2021. 
PA/Reuters
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British tennis player Emma Raducanu swapped the green grass of Wimbledon for the red carpet
(left to right) The Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Prince of Wales attending the World Premiere of No Time To Die, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Picture date: Tuesday September 28, 2021.
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Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were joined by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Raducanu, who won the US Open earlier this month, left the practice courts behind to attend the star-studded screening.

Also at the event were screenwriters Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, and singer Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell, who co-wrote the new Bond theme song, as well as producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli and director Cary Joji Fukunaga.

No Time To Die is the 25th Bond film and it will be the final movie featuring Craig as 007.

It has been delayed for more than a year due to the coronavirus pandemic but will be released in UK cinemas on Thursday.

Ana de Armas attending the World Premiere of No Time To Die, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Picture date: Tuesday September 28, 2021.
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Cast member Ana de Armas
Cast member Rami Malek reacts during the world premiere of the new James Bond film "No Time To Die" at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Britain, September 28, 2021. REUTERS/Toby Melville
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Fellow cast member Rami Malek was also at the screening

The world premiere will benefit charities supporting serving and former members of the UK’s three intelligence agencies – the Secret Intelligence Service, the Security Service and GCHQ – as well as charities supporting past and present members of the UK special forces.

The Prince of Wales speaks with Daniel Craig upon his arrival for the World Premiere of No Time To Die, at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Picture date: Tuesday September 28, 2021.
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The Prince of Wales speaks to Daniel Craig
Phoebe Waller-Bridge attending the World Premiere of No Time To Die, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Picture date: Tuesday September 28, 2021.
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Phoebe Waller-Bridge at the Royal Albert Hall in London
Singer Billie Eilish speaks to the media during the world premiere of the new James Bond film "No Time To Die" at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Britain, September 28, 2021. REUTERS/Toby Melville
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Singer Billie Eilish speaks to the media during the world premiere

No Time To Die sees Bond enjoying a quiet life in Jamaica having left active service when his old friend from the CIA Felix Leiter, played by Jeffrey Wright, turns up and asks for his help.

Soccer player Harry Kane and his wife Katie Goodland pose during the world premiere of the new James Bond film "No Time To Die" at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Britain, September 28, 2021. REUTERS/Toby Melville
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Footballer Harry Kane and his wife Katie Goodland at the premiere
Rory Kinnear attending the World Premiere of No Time To Die, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Picture date: Tuesday September 28, 2021.
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Rory Kinnear attended the screening

A mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist becomes far more treacherous than expected and leads to a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.

Actor Judi Dench poses during the world premiere of the new James Bond film "No Time To Die" at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Britain, September 28, 2021. REUTERS/Toby Melville
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Dame Judi Dench at the Royal Albert Hall

Several Bond premieres have taken place at the Royal Albert Hall.

For 2015’s Spectre, William and Kate and the Duke of Sussex attended the event.

Post-pandemic Bond premiere looks rather different, says arts and entertainment producer Jayson Mansaray

Things looked a little different at the biggest premiere London has seen post-pandemic.

There was no media scrum – far fewer crews than would usually be accommodated were spaced out with a strict policy of 1.5 metres between them and the cast being interviewed, with everyone off-camera wearing black masks to fit with the black-tie dress code.

Instead of the usual autograph hunters and fans hungrily waiting behind barriers for the stars, NHS workers and the armed forces were invited to attend the red carpet, see the film and meet the cast.

Talking ahead of the premiere, the franchise’s producer Barbara Broccoli stressed that these were the heroes, not just James Bond.

The day had been filled with glorious sunshine that gave way suddenly to greying skies as clouds released their rain forcing media and crew alike to scurry for shelter and cover electrical equipment.

Still, stars of the film including Rami Malik, Lashana Lynch and Naomie Harris braved the very British weather for the premiere.

Daniel Craig, proving that he may not have as fractious a relationship with the press as we have been led to believe, kindly telling us to “stay dry”.

Alongside the star power of the lead actors there was no shortage of excitement with props like cars, motorbikes and a giant silver 007 sitting prominently near the entrance to the Royal Albert Hall.

Giant screens projected clips from the latest film as Bond songs by Sam Smith, Adele and the latest pop star to take the lead – Billie Eilish – played out on speakers.

Celebrity guests including Stormzy and Jason Momoa were among those heading down the red carpet, and will be among the first to see this Bond film – arguably the most anticipated ever thanks to release delays, Craig’s final outing and the secrecy shrouding the movie.

No mean feat in a world where script leaks and promo tours mean we usually know what to expect long before we get in front of the big screen.

Tonight may have been a very British goodbye, with the weather refusing to play ball. But with a real sense of occasion and, of course, the royal seal of approval. it was also fittingly glamorous for the Bond who dragged 007 into the 21st century, redefining how we see the franchise.

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Robin Kaye: American Idol TV executive and her husband shot dead inside their Los Angeles home

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Robin Kaye: American Idol TV executive and her husband shot dead inside their Los Angeles home

An American Idol TV executive and her husband have been found dead in their LA home.

Robin Kaye was a music supervisor on the long-running reality TV series.

The bodies of the 70-year-old and her husband Thomas were discovered after officers conducted a welfare check at their home.

Both had died from gunshot wounds.

Robin Kaye and her husband Thomas. Pic: Facebook
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Robin Kaye and her husband Thomas. Pic: Facebook

Detectives say Raymond Boodarian has been arrested in connection with their deaths.

It is alleged the 22-year-old had burgled their property while they were away on 10 July – killing the couple upon their return.

According to Los Angeles Police, there were “no signs of forced entry or trouble” at the property.

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Ms Kaye was an industry veteran – and had previously worked on shows including Lip Sync Battle and The Singing Bee, as well as several Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants.

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Pic: ABC7 Los Angeles
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Pic: ABC7 Los Angeles

In a statement, an American Idol spokesperson said: “Robin has been a cornerstone of the Idol family since 2009 and was truly loved and respected by all who came in contact with her.

“Robin will remain in our hearts forever and we share our deepest sympathy with her family and friends during this difficult time.”

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Action taken to stop ticketless Oasis fans from watching this week’s shows in Manchester

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Action taken to stop ticketless Oasis fans from watching this week's shows in Manchester

Huge steel fences have been erected to prevent ticketless fans from watching the Oasis reunion tour in Manchester.

Liam and Noel Gallagher will resume their sold-out run of shows – their first since 2009 – with a performance at Heaton Park tonight, and two more on Saturday and Sunday.

While tens of thousands bought tickets for Oasis’s first two shows last weekend, crowds gathered to glimpse the large screens above the stage in the distance – in an area dubbed “Gallagher Hill” by some on social media.

People walk past a temporary security fence erected ahead of concerts by Oasis in Heaton Park on 1 July. File pic: Reuters
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People walk past a temporary security fence erected ahead of concerts by Oasis in Heaton Park on 1 July. Reuters file pic

Manchester City Council has now said more steel fences have been erected around parts of the park to prevent ticketless fans from watching the gigs, and to protect nature in the park.

“After taking stock of how the first two nights went, additional measures have now been deemed necessary and will be in place for the next three concerts,” it said.

“The erection of the fencing has a dual purpose – both to protect the environment from further damage and to dissuade people from gathering there.

“The necessary measure means the concert will no longer be visible from this area.”

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Friday: Excited fans at Oasis homecoming gig

The fences will cover a large area of the hill within the park’s cattle field, which is being developed as a new woodland area with around 300 young trees planted.

The council added that there would be no facilities for people without a ticket, and said the event area is “double-walled with solid high security fencing all the way round”.

More than 2,000 event security staff and police officers will also be on duty around the site “to ensure both the safety and wellbeing of ticket-holders and that only those who have tickets access the concert”, it said.

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John Hacking, the council’s executive member for employment, skills and leisure, also said in a statement that “unfortunately our hand has been forced in having to put these additional measures in place”.

He added: “Our advice to music fans who don’t have tickets for the concerts is to head into the city centre instead.

“The whole city is going all out to celebrate and help everyone have a good time.

“We’ve got some fantastic things going on with a real party atmosphere for everyone to enjoy, whether they’ve got tickets for the Oasis gigs or not.”

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MasterChef presenter John Torode sacked

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MasterChef presenter John Torode sacked

MasterChef presenter John Torode will no longer work on the show after an allegation he used an “extremely offensive racist term” was upheld, the BBC has said.

His co-host Gregg Wallace was also sacked last week after claims of inappropriate behaviour.

On Monday, Torode said an allegation he used racist language was upheld in a report into the behaviour of Wallace. The report found more than half of 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiated.

Torode, 59, insisted he had “absolutely no recollection” of the alleged incident involving him and he “did not believe that it happened,” adding “racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment”.

John Torode and Gregg Wallace in 2008. Pic:PA
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John Torode and Gregg Wallace in 2008. Pic: PA

In a statement on Tuesday, a BBC spokesperson said the allegation “involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace”.

The claim was “investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by the law firm Lewis Silkin”, they added.

“The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously,” the spokesperson said.

“We will not tolerate racist language of any kind… we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken.

“John Torode’s contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.”

Australian-born Torode started presenting MasterChef alongside Wallace, 60, in 2005.

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Why Gregg Wallace says he ‘will not go quietly’

A statement from Banijay UK said it “takes this matter incredibly seriously” and Lewis Silkin “substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018”.

“This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint,” the TV production company added.

“Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef.”

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Earlier, as the BBC released its annual report, its director-general Tim Davie addressed MasterChef’s future, saying it can survive as it is “much bigger than individuals”.

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BBC annual report findings

Speaking to BBC News after Torode was sacked, Mr Davie said a decision is yet to be taken over whether an unseen MasterChef series – filmed with both Wallace and Torode last year – will be aired.

“It’s a difficult one because… those amateur chefs gave a lot to take part – it means a lot, it can be an enormous break if you come through the show,” he added.

“I want to just reflect on that with the team and make a decision, and we’ll communicate that in due course.”

Mr Davie refused to say what the “seriously racist term” Torode was alleged to have used but said: “I certainly think we’ve drawn a line in the sand.”

In 2022, Torode was made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, for services to food and charity.

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