Author: thien8

DECODE WHY Agent 007 must be British and under 30 – Yet TOP 3 contender Jacob Elordi is Australian: What’s going on?

After months of speculation, Amazon MGM Studios has narrowed down the shortlist of potential candidates for the role of secret agent 007 to just three young names: Jacob Elordi (Saltburn), Tom Holland (Spider-Man), and Harris Dickinson (Babygirl). According to Variety, the studio is specifically seeking a British actor under the age of 30. Although Jacob Elordi is Australian, he’s still in the running since fellow Australian actor George Lazenby once played Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969).

At the same time, Amazon also announced the director for the new installment: Denis Villeneuve, known for his acclaimed work on the Dune films. Denis shared that he’s been a di3-hard James Bond fan since childhood and considers the franchise “sacred ground” that deserves deep respect. For him, leading this project is both a tremendous responsibility and a great honor.

Previously, following Amazon’s $8.5 billion acquisition of MGM Studios in 2022, the company officially secured distribution rights and, more recently, creative control over the James Bond franchise. Amazon reached an agreement with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson—the children of legendary producer Albert R. Broccoli—who had been steering the 007 brand since 1995.

Denis Villeneuve stepping into the director’s chair is widely seen as bringing a fresh artistic vision to Bond, blending his signature cinematic style with the classic action-adventure spirit of the series. Amy Pascal and David Heyman, the new producers replacing Barbara and Michael, also described it as “a dream come true” to collaborate with Denis.

With Daniel Craig concluding his Bond era in No Time to Di3 (2021), the biggest question among fans remains: who will be the next to wear the iconic tuxedo? Previously, Barbara Broccoli was said to favor Aaron Taylor-Johnson for the role, but now the final decision likely rests with Amy Pascal and David Heyman—meaning the ultimate pick remains a mystery.

In addition, Amazon is fast-tracking the project, aiming for a release by late next year or in 2027. Due to a filming ban in central London next year, the studio is considering alternative locations like Liverpool—a city that has doubled as various international settings in films like The Batman, Harry Potter, and Captain America. While this has sparked concerns among di3-hard Bond fans about losing the franchise’s traditional London backdrop, the producers reassure that it’s just a change of scenery and the film’s spirit will stay true.

Amazon has also dismissed rumors of creating a “Bond multiverse” or returning to the classic 1960s Bond era. Instead, they envision a modern, youthful Bond that resonates with a new generation while remaining true to the core essence: a sophisticated, intelligent, and charismatic secret agent.

Beyond the feature film, Amazon may explore additional games or side projects but insists it won’t “milk” the brand by flooding it with endless spin-offs in the style of Star Wars.

Audiences now eagerly await: will it be Jacob Elordi, Tom Holland, or Harris Dickinson stepping into the iconic role? And what new face of Bond will Denis Villeneuve deliver?

Though nothing is confirmed yet, one thing is certain: this is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated film projects of the decade.

Amazon finalizes TOP 3 young contenders for the Role of James Bond Agent 007: Jacob Elordi (Saltburn), Tom Holland (Spider-Man) and Harris Dickinson (Babygirl) – Let’s Explore their Talents to see who truly deserves to appear on British screens!

James Bond bosses have reportedly narrowed down their shortlist to just three names, after a flurry of speculation.

It is believed that Saltburn star Jacob Elordi, Spider-Man’s Tom Holland and Babygirl actor Harris Dickinson are at the top of Amazon’s wish list, according to Variety.

Inside sources reportedly told the publication that the studio and producers are interested in casting a British actor under the age of 30.

And while Jacob, 28, is Australian, he is still believed to be in the running as fellow Aussie actor George Lazenby has previously played Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in 1969.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Amazing, Jacob Elordi, Tom Holland and Harris for comment. Amazon declined to comment when contacted by Variety.

The studio announced on Wednesday that Denis Villeneuve – best known for directing Warner Bros.’ two-part Dune adaptation – has signed on to direct the untitled film, via Amazon press release.

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James Bond bosses have reportedly narrowed down their shortlist to just three names, after a flurry of speculation

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Theories have rife around which names are in the running to replace Daniel Craig, after he made his last appearance as Bond in the 2021 film No Time To Di3

The French-Canadian filmmaker, 57, will also serve as executive producer of the project alongside Tanya Lapointe.

Amazon had previously set Amy Pascal and David Heyman as the film’s producers, after the studio parted ways with longtime 007 caretakers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.

The news comes just over three years after Amazon completed its massive $8.5 billion acquisition of MGM Studios that included the James Bond franchise.

There hasn’t been a new 007 film since 2021’s No Time to Di3, the final film with Daniel Craig as the beloved secret agent.

The director said in a statement, ‘Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery.’

He added, ‘I’m a di3-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come.’

The filmmaker admitted, ‘This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor.’

He also went on to thank Bond producers Amy and David, adding they, ‘are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust.’

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It is believed that Saltburn star Jacob Elordi, Spider-Man’s Tom Holland (pictured) and Babygirl actor Harris Dickinson are at the top of Amazon’s wish list

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Inside sources reportedly told the publication that the studio and producers are interested in casting a British actor under the age of 30 (pictured: Harris Dickinson)

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And while Jacob, 28, is Australian, he is still believed to be in the running as fellow Aussie actor George Lazenby has previously played Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in 1969

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While fans still wait news on who the next actor to play British super-spy Bond (last played by Daniel Craig, above) will be, Amazon MGM Studios has found the film’s director

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The studio announced Wednesday that Denis Villeneuve – best known for directing Warner Bros.’ two-part Dune adaptation – has signed on to direct the untitled film, via Amazon press release

Amy and David added, ‘Denis Villeneuve has been in love with James Bond movies since he was a little boy.

‘It was always his dream to make this movie, and now it’s ours, too. We are lucky to be in the hands of this extraordinary filmmaker.’

After Amazon acquired MGM in 2022, they obtained full creative control of the 007 franchise with a deal they struck with Barbara and Michael, the offspring of original James Bond producer, Albert R. Broccoli.

Barbara and Michael had been overseeing the franchise since 1995, when their father ceded control of his Eon Productions company to them.

Amazon reached an agreement with Barbara and Michael in March 2025, and while financial terms were not disclosed, it was rumored to be upwards of $1 billion.

Villeneuve made his directorial debut in 1998 with August 32nd on Earth, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival that year.

He followed that up with Maelstrom (2000), Polytechnique (2009) and Incendies (2010), the latter of which was nominated for Best International Film at the Academy Awards.

The filmmaker broke through in Hollywood with 2013’s Prisoners, a dark drama starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal.

He continued to win acclaim for 2013’s Enemy, 2015’s Sicario, 2016’s Arrival, 2017’s Blade Runner 2049 and, most recently, 2021’s Dune: Part One and 2024’s Dune: Part Two.

Speculation has continued to grow over who will be the next big-screen Bond, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson previously touted as a favourite among industry figures.

The acquisition of the Bond franchise by Amazon earlier this year has also prompted a flurry of guesses as to where they might take the franchise next.

Bond has been spoiled with video game adaptations since the 1980s, with early adaptations taking the form of shooting games or text adventures in which players typed in what they wanted the super-spy to do.

Amazon bosses are currently said to be considering locations in which to set the much-anticipated new film, which experts predicted is likely to be released at the end of next year or in 2027.

Due to a filming ban being imposed in Central London next year, new locations are reportedly being considered – with Liverpool a frontrunner, according to The Sun.

An insider told the publication: ‘This will no doubt irk Bond purists who already fear Amazon taking over the 007 franchise may lead to them making big changes.

‘But Liverpool is a well-known alternative to London for film-makers.

‘It has appeared in everything from The Batman to Captain America and Harry Potter movies, doubling up as international cities.’

The source added that it doesn’t necessarily mean the story will be set in Liverpool – though eagle-eyed Merseysiders will no doubt spot their city centre in the background.

It was announced earlier this year that Amazon Prime had taken over ‘creative control’ of the James Bond franchise leaving fans fearing the beloved films could be ruined by endless spin-offs such as Star Wars.

The deal comes after Amazon bought MGM Studios in 2022 as a part of its media push. The acquisition gave Amazon distribution rights to the 007 franchise but not creative control.

The company is said to be fast-tracking the new movie after spending a reported $1 billion to regain control from Barbara Broccoli.

There is reportedly set to be no explanation of how the special agent is still alive, no multiverse of Bonds and no attempt to go back to the 1960s for a vintage Bond.

Barbara Broccoli’s choice for Bond was thought to be Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who was once favourite for the role, but Heyman and Pascal are likely to want to choose their own 007.

BREAKING SH0CK NEWS: ITV brings Emmerdale & Corrie to international audiences on Y0uTube – Cuts and Schedule Changes spark anger among British viewers!

ITV, the renowned British broadcaster, has just announced a major change in how audiences can watch its iconic long-running dramas: Emmerdale and Coronation Street. This change takes effect immediately and promises to please loyal viewers both at home and abroad.

Until now, fans had to wait for fixed evening time slots to catch the latest episodes. However, to compete directly with the BBC and EastEnders, ITV began last year to release each new episode of Emmerdale and Coronation Street on its streaming platform ITVX in the morning of the same broadcast day.

Now, ITV goes a step further by allowing viewers to stream the newest episodes directly on YouTube. Starting from June 30, episodes of Emmerdale and Coronation Street will be uploaded to ITV’s official YouTube channel at 7 a.m.—on the same day they air on television. This means fans can watch at any time during the day, free from the constraints of traditional schedules.

The news quickly spread across social media and was warmly welcomed by fans, especially international viewers who had previously struggled to access ITV content. Some typical comments included: “Awesome! Viewers in the U.S. can watch too!”, “This is great news, hope it stays this way!”, and “Hopefully they keep it on YouTube because I can’t use the ITV app.”

However, alongside this positive move, ITV also announced another, more controversial change: a reduction in the number of episodes aired each week. Currently, Emmerdale airs six episodes weekly (Monday to Friday, with a double bill on Thursdays), and Coronation Street also airs six episodes (two episodes each on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). From 2026, each series will drop to just five 30-minute episodes per week, amounting to about a 17% cut in broadcast time.

To balance this, ITV will introduce a dedicated “power hour” slot for its soaps from Monday to Friday, with Emmerdale airing at 8 p.m. and Coronation Street following at 8:30 p.m. Additionally, to “appease” fans, the network plans to kick off the new broadcast year with a special week of episodes featuring never-before-seen stunts.

Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, explained that the episode reduction is meant to align with evolving viewing habits: “We want to offer flexibility, making it easier for viewers to keep up with their favourite shows despite increasingly limited time.”

Meanwhile, over at the BBC, a similar approach is already in place: fans can watch new episodes of EastEnders from 6 a.m. on iPlayer, ahead of the evening broadcast on BBC One.

ITV’s changes clearly reflect a broader trend in the television industry: moving away from the rigidity of traditional scheduling towards meeting audiences’ demand to watch “anytime, anywhere.” For Emmerdale and Coronation Street—both cultural institutions with over 60 years of history—this is a bold but necessary step to stay competitive in an era dominated by digital platforms.

EMOTIONAL BREAKING NEWS – the Girl seen in Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan’s VIDEO 24 years ago on This Morning and the Story of being abɑndоned in a Multistory Car Park stirs up the UK!

Twenty-four years ago, Sarah Meyer—then only a few hours old—was found curled up in a multistory car park in Surrey, wrapped in a pink towel. At the time, she was dubbed the “Baby In Pink” when she appeared on ITV’s This Morning in 2001. The aim was to appeal to the public and the police to help trace her biological parents.

Today, Sarah, now a young woman, returned to that very show, sitting across from hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard to share her extraordinary life journey and her search for her origins. She was accompanied by Ariel Bruce, the lead researcher from Long Lost Family: Born Without A Trace, who helped piece together her past using DNA testing and traditional genealogy methods.

Watching the old footage from 24 years ago, Sarah was moved: “It was crazy seeing that again, and it feels even more special to come back to where it all began.” In the clip, former host Judy Finnegan, who is now 77, cradled tiny baby Sarah, weighing only about 7 lbs, and told viewers about her heartbreaking start to life.

Following her appearance on the show, Sarah was adopted and grew up in the love of her new family. She shared: “My adoptive parents always told me about my history, showed me the newspaper clippings and footage. Thanks to them, I always knew my identity and my story. That’s the way it should be. Any questions I had, they answered.”

Sarah’s search for her birth parents will be told in detail this week on Long Lost Family: Born Without A Trace. Speaking about why she embarked on this journey, she said: “I’m proud of my story. I didn’t just want to know who brought me into this world, but also to show them that I’ve had a good life.”

“I know they might have wondered what happened to me—where I am now—and I wanted to give them the reassurance that I’m okay. I’ve found peace with it all, so they can finally let go of any guilt or worry.”

Sarah also shared that her birth mother had written a heartfelt letter thanking everyone who had cared for her as a baby. “The amount of gratitude I feel for the people who stepped in to become my family is immense—they don’t get thanked enough. They really are the start of family for people like me. For me, Wendy was that starting point.”

Wendy, a police officer, had appeared on This Morning back in 2001, holding baby Sarah and helping appeal to the public for information.

In the present-day interview, Ben and Cat played a warm video message from former host Richard Madeley, now 69, recorded in his garden. He said: “What an incredible ending to such a story. Judy and I were so passionate about trying to find your family back then. Huge congratulations from both of us. Have a wonderful life, with lots of love.”

Talking about her biological father, Sarah shared emotionally: “It’s insane how alike my dad and I are. He didn’t even know I existed. But the way he welcomed me into his family was amazing. Even my grandmother used to work at the hospital where I was taken as a newborn.”

As for her birth mother, who has chosen not to appear publicly, Sarah said gently: “The door is always open for my mum and always will be. I’ve had 24 years to process this story; my mum has had far less time. Life is complicated.”

Sarah also expressed her gratitude to Wendy—the very first person who protected her when she was most vulnerable. “Wendy really was the start of my family. Without her, and without so many others, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Ariel Bruce then explained the painstaking work behind the scenes: “Sarah trusted us with her search, and that trust is always the first step. We used her DNA across four major genealogy databases, and then combined those matches with conventional genealogy and investigative work to piece together her story.”

“It’s really a blend of science, a bit of luck, and detective work. But finding the family is only the beginning—it opens a lifelong journey of reconnection and healing.”

Sarah Meyer’s story stands as a powerful testament to the strength of memory, love, and the universal quest to answer the question, “Who am I?” After 24 years, the circle that once seemed impossible to close has finally come full circle—opening a hopeful new chapter, filled with love, gratitude, and family.

TEARS of Sarah Meyer and Viewers’ OUTRAGE – the Baby abɑndоned just hours after Birth – her Tearful quest to FIND her Parents live on This Morning!

A woman abɑndоned by her birth mother has returned to This Morning today – 24 years after her first appearance on the show.

Sarah Meyer was left in a multistory carpark in 2001 and appeared on the ITV show’s sofa as a newborn in a bid for police to trace her parents.

At the time, she had been dubbed the ‘Baby In Pink’ after being found in the Surrey location, wrapped in a pink towel.

More than two decades later, she returned to This Morning to give hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard a major life update.

She told the pair how she was adopted after her appearance as footage showed her being doted on by then-hosts Judy Finnegan and Richard Madeley.

In the clip, Judy, now 77, held Sarah and told viewers: ‘This little sprog was abɑndоned in a multi-story carpark. She was barely an hour old, weighing just 7lbs.’

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A woman abɑndоned by her birth mother has returned to This Morning today – 24 years after her first appearance on the show

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Sarah Meyer was left in a multistory carpark in 2001 and appeared on the ITV show’s sofa as a newborn in a bid for police to trace her parents

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Over two decades later, she returned to This Morning to give hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard a major life update

After watching the tape back, Sarah said: ‘It was crazy seeing that again and being back here. It’s insane, full circle. I’ve been able to find my birth parents.

‘My foster parents have always kept me informed about my past, done it the right way. My backstory – they’ve shown me the clips and newspaper. I’ve always had my identity and history, that’s the way it should be. Any questions I’ve had, they answered.’

Sarah’s search for her birth parents will be documented on Long Lost Family: Born Without A Trace this week.

She continued: ‘I’m proud of my story. I wanted to find out what is out there but also wanted to show who is out there that I’ve had a good life.

‘I understand they’d also have the question of where am I now – I wanted to show them that I’m okay and give them that reassurance. I’m at peace with it and they can put it to bed.

‘My birth mother thanked everyone for looking after me in a letter. The amount of gratitude of the people who stepped up to be my family is immense, they don’t get enough gratitude. Nobody thanks them.

‘They are the start of the family for those people, Wendy was the start of my family.’

Wendy – a police officer – originally appeared on This Morning with Sarah in 2001.

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Sarah said how she was adopted after her appearance as footage from 2001 showed her being dotted on by then hosts Judy Finnegan and Richard Madeley

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Ben and Cat then played a sweet video message from Richard Madeley, filmed from his garden

Describing her birth father, Sarah told Cat and Ben: ‘The fact that me and my dad are so alike is insane – my dad didn’t even know that I existed. The way he welcomed me into his family was insane. My nan worked in the hospital I was brought into.’

Addressing her birth mother’s absence, she said: ‘The door is open for my birth mother and always will be. I’ve had 24 years to process my story. My mum has had a much shorter amount of time to process it. Life is complex.’

Ben and Cat then played a sweet video message from Richard Madeley, filmed from his garden.

The 69-year-old said: ‘What an end to an incredible story. We were so passionate about trying to find your family for you.

‘Huge congratulations from Judy and from me. Have a great rest of your life and lots of love.’

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Wendy – a police officer – originally appeared on This Morning with Sarah in 2001

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Sarah’s search for her birth parents will be documented on Long Lost Family: Born Without A Trace this week

Sarah was joined on the sofa by Ariel Bruce, the lead researcher from Long Lost Family who used Sarah’s DNA to finally get her answers on her birth parents.

Speaking about her journey, Ariel said: ‘Sarah trusted us with her search and that’s the beginning. I’m very grateful to do this sort of work.

‘We put Sarah’s DNA across the four being genealogical sites. We use a combination of those connection and conventional genealogy to build a forensic narrative.

‘It’s a mixture of science, good luck and detective work. It’s only the beginning of the story though. Having contact is just the beginning of a lifelong journey.’

BREAKING NEWS: ITV officially announces cuts to Emmerdale and Coronation Street – a HISTORIC SH0CK for UK television viewers!

Soaps have been left in chaos this week as EastEnders is ousted from BBC One, while Emmerdale and Coronation Street have been cancelled by ITV.

BBC bosses have cleared the schedule as they dedicate live coverage to this year’s Wimbledon Championship.

From 7pm on BBC One, live coverage will kick off, running all the way up to the News At 10 before normal programming resumes.

As a result, EastEnders has been forced to air over on BBC Two for the entire week.

The Walford-based soap typically airs at 7:30pm on BBC One from Monday to Thursday, with the episode also dropping on iPlayer from 6am on the morning of its broadcast.

Fans will be able to catch the latest scenes from Walford at the normal time, just on the next channel.

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Soaps have been left in chaos this week as EastEnders is ousted from BBC One, while Emmerdale and Coronation Street have been cancelled by ITV

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BBC bosses have cleared the schedule as they dedicate live coverage to this year’s Wimbledon Championship, forcing EastEnders from its slot

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Friday’s hour-long episode of Coronation Street has also been axed by ITV for live coverage of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025

The soap disruption continues over on ITV with their rivals Emmerdale and Coronation Street.

Fans’ usual Friday visit to the Yorkshire Dales and the Weatherfield cobbles has been axed for the football.

Coverage of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 is set to kick off from 4:15pm and expected to run up to 10:20pm.

Normal programming will then resume, with the late night news bulletin followed by the weather.

It’s unclear when ITV will air the axed Friday episodes of Emmerdale and Corrie.

Meanwhile, on Sunday ITV announced both their soaps will now be available to stream on YouTube.

The changes come into effect from Monday, June 30, meaning both tonight’s Emmerdale and Coronation Street episodes are available now on the video platform.

Announcing the move, a spokesperson for both soaps told fans on social media: ‘Soap fans, rejoice!

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Fans’ usual Friday visit to the Yorkshire Dales has also been scrapped, with no indication on how bosses will make up the lost episode

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The schedule shakeup comes after ITV revealed they were releasing new episodes of both Emmerdale and Coronation Street on YouTube

Eastenders blunder: Fans ‘obsessed with Kat going northern’

‘Starting tomorrow, full episodes will be available on YouTube from 7am – the same day they air on TV!’

Fans welcomed the move, including international viewers who have previously struggled tuning into the ITV soaps.

The move comes after it was revealed earlier this year how ITV bosses are slashing their soaps’ episode count.

Emmerdale currently airs six episodes weekly, Monday to Friday with a double bill on Thursdays.

Meanwhile, Coronation Street also airs six episodes per week, with two episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Next year, only five 30-minute episodes of each show will air – a real terms cut to soap broadcast time of 17%.

BREAKING NEWS: EARTHQUAKE hits former ‘Deal Or No Deal’ host Noel Edmonds and wife Liz’s 800-acre New Zealand estate, chaos erupts – Painful Past floods BACK, leaving them devastated!

Noel Edmonds and his wife were forced to ‘grab their dogs and flee their home’ after a terrifying ordeal at their New Zealand house.

The former Deal Or No Deal host, 76, and his wife, Liz, own a 800-acre estate, River Haven, which features a restaurant, a vineyard, a pub and a wellness centre.

Despite the stunning surrounding landscape, their time there hasn’t been completely positive and the couple have had to grapple with extreme weather conditions.

The TV star recalled one particular incident to The Sun and recounted how an earthquake ‘really shook the house’.

He revealed they have experienced three earthquakes whilst living on the estate.

Noel told the publication: ‘During the first one, we were sitting outside with a glass of wine, and I noticed the surface of the wine rippling.

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Noel Edmonds (right) and his wife Liz (left) were forced to ‘grab their dogs and flee their home’ after a terrifying ordeal at their New Zealand home

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The former Deal Or No Deal host, 76, and his wife own a 800-acre estate, River Haven, which features a restaurant, a vineyard, a pub and a wellness centre

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Despite the stunning surrounding landscape, their time there hasn’t been completely positive and the couple have had to grapple with extreme weather conditions

‘That was a mild one.

‘The biggest one really shook the house — the cutlery drawer rattled, and Liz and I each grabbed a dog and ran outside.’

Fortunately, the incident didn’t cause any structural damage to the property.

He added: ‘But, yes, earthquakes — and a dormant volcano just up the way. At least, we hope that it’s dormant.’

Noel described the weather as having an ‘attitude’ because of how severe it can get.

He recalled trees falling down in strong winds, ‘tropical rain’ and landslips.

His new documentary, Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure, hit screens earlier this month on ITV and follows the couple as they navigate life together in New Zealand.

The TV personality and radio presenter was best known for his stint hosting the Channel 4 game show from 2005 to 2016 when it ended, before its revival with Stephen Mulhern in 2023.

But after more than 50 years on British TV and radio, Noel left the UK in 2018 with Liz to build a new life in New Zealand.

They have now opened a hospitality business in the small rural, riverside town of Ngatimoti.

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The TV star recalled one particular incident and recounted how an earthquake ‘really shook the house’

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He revealed they have experienced three earthquakes whilst living on the estate

Noel admitted in the first-look trailer of his show: ‘New Zealand’s a great place to come to. It’s not the easiest place to set up a business.’

The veteran presenter also confesses at another point in the clip: ‘We’re haemorrhaging money at the moment.’

Noel tugged on fans’ heartstrings as he opened up about hitting rock bottom in the series’ opening episode.

He introduced viewers to a sculpture, called Guardian, and narrator Rob Brydon explained, ‘In 2005, at the height of his fame, Noel’s production company unexpectedly went bɑnkrupt, hugely affecting his mental health.’

Noel showed a plaque by the statue and said: ‘There’s a description of my story here, for guests to understand why I had Guardian created.’

‘My Unique group of companies was deliberately collapsed by some corrupt bankers,’ he recalled.

‘And I’m safe in saying that because my bank manager went to prison, along with four others, for 50 years.

‘What they were doing was pushing businesses over the edge and then taking asset, that’s basically what it was about.’

Noel reflected on the time and revealed how it made him feel.

‘When the companies went into administration in 2006, I thought I was a crap businessman. I thought it was my fault. 70 people lost their jobs,’ he said.

‘And I said to Liz, who was a fantastic support, ‘When,’ not if, ‘When I win my battle to get my losses back, I’m gonna get the great Weta Studios, Lord of the Rings, Avatar, the real creative powerhouse here in New Zealand, I’m gonna ask them to build me a statue’.’

He explained: ‘Liz designed the shield, because it is our story of the fight to get our losses back.’

The sculpture featured a knight kneeling with his head down and praying.

Noel appeared emotional and said: ‘He’s praying before he gets up and defeats the dark force, the enemy.’

He then admitted: ‘I’ll tell you, when you go to that dɑrk spɑce… I used to, like many people, kind of look down my nose and think, why would anybody want to tɑke the1r 0wn l1fe? Why would they want to do that?

‘I’ll tell you, if you’ve ever been in that dɑrk spɑce, you’ll never be critical, because it is a space where there is no reason.’

BREAKING TV SH0CK: BBC officially announces Suspension of ‘The One Show’ – Hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp take a break, leaving viewers confused and demanding answers!

The One Show has been cancelled in a major schedule shake-up as Alex Jones and Roman Kemp step away from their hosting roles.

From tonight, June 30, fans of the long-running magazine show will be left without their fix as it’s replacement is revealed.

A staple of the schedule, The One Show typically airs at 7pm on weeknights but is now off air until the end of July.

The programme is taking its usual summer break, allowing Alex, 48, and Roman, 32 time away from the green sofa.

The mum-of-three announced the break last Friday as she signed off from the show.

Just before the credits rolled, Alex said: ‘We are taking a bit of a break for the next four weeks and we’ll be back on Monday, 28th July but there’s plenty to enjoy like Wimbledon and the Euros.’

The One Show has been cancelled in a major schedule shake-up as Alex Jones and Roman Kemp step away from their hosting roles

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From tonight, June 30, fans of the long-running magazine show will be left without their fix as it’s replacement is revealed

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A staple of the schedule, The One Show typically airs at 7pm on weeknights but is now off air until the end of July

BBC bosses will use gap in the schedule to dedicate live coverage of The Wimbledon Championships 2025.

Last month The One Show was pulled off air to make way for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show.

Meanwhile, EastEnders has been ousted from its usual slot as a result of the tournament.

The Walford-based soap typically airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm directly after The One Show.

However, for this week, fans will need to tune over to BBC Two to catch their latest fix, or watch on iPlayer.

Alex Jones previously revealed the Hollywood A-lister who was ‘so full of himself’ on The One Show.

The presenter shared on the Netmums Podcast that actor Jared Leto, 53, was her least favourite guest to ever appear on the BBC show.

Jared was interviewed on the chat show in April 2022 to discuss his miniseries, WeCrashed.

Just before last Friday’s episode ended, Alex told viewers: ‘We are taking a bit of a break for the next four weeks and we’ll be back on Monday, 28th July but there’s plenty to enjoy like Wimbledon and the Euros’

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The programme is taking its usual summer break, allowing Alex, 48, and Roman, 32 time away from the green sofa

She told hosts Wendy Golledge and Alison Perry: ‘Jared Leto was dressed as one of the Three Musketeers and he had all this, I don’t know, Gucci, big shirt, sleeves billowing. I mean, he was so full of himself.

‘And I thought, no, no, no, no. Our audience are nice people and, they deserve better than this. And, ok, you might be like a huge celebrity star and you’ve done all these films, but it doesn’t cost to be polite and nice.

‘Anybody who can’t bring those simple skills to the table, I’m out. I’m like, no, sorry, you’ve not been brought up well, then.’

She added: ‘People assume that, it must be amazing to have these big Hollywood actors and yeah, it is. It’s fine. But I really like when we have British homegrown talent. They know the show, they know the atmosphere and, they give really good interviews as a result.

‘We’ve had people on that are big Hollywood stars. Last week we had Robert De Niro and, he was lovely. He was a little bit like, “oh, my God, this is live.” And that’s the thing about actors, they don’t like being themselves. They often get quite nervous.

‘There are some who are brilliant, and they are very relaxed, but when they have to promote the film, they get into a panic, and the interview can be a little bit sort of staccato and it doesn’t really flow.’

“I’m only 38, I don’t want to Dι3” – Rock singer David Roach BREAKS DOWN in H0spital Bed – Doctors reveal his Canc3r condition left fiancée completely devɑstɑted!

Rockstar David Roach announced he’s been diagnosed with ‘very aggressive’ cnc3r in a health update on Monday.

The musician, who has fronted American heavy metal band Junkyard since 1987, revealed has squamous cell carcinoma which is ‘affecting his head, neck, and throat.’

Last week, David admitted recent results ‘completely shattered our world’ with the band starting a Go Fund Me to help with medical costs.

In an update shared the the band’s Instagram a message from the singer and his fiancée Jennifer said: ‘First off, we want to thank you all for the overwhelming support and love you’ve shown us during this incredibly challenging time.

‘We wish we could respond to each of you, but honestly, there are no words right now. We’re still struggling to process the news we received on Tuesday.

‘After David’s ongoing fever and cough led us to the ER, we got results that have completely shattered our world.’

They continued: ‘It’s devastating and life-altering, and we’re trying to navigate through the emotions and uncertainty that come with it.

‘David is showing such incredible strength and resilience, and even in the midst of this darkness, he’s still managing to keep his sense of humor. It’s a reminder of how amazing he is.

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Rockstar David Roach announced he’s been diagnosed with ‘very aggressive’ cnc3r in a health update on Monday

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The musician, who has fronted American heavy metal band Junkyard since 1987, revealed has squamous cell carcinoma which is ‘affecting his head, neck, and throat’ (pictured in 1991)

‘But we know this journey ahead will be extremely tough, David made it clear he is not giving up hope and we’re going to need all of your love and prayers.

‘Thank you for standing by us. Your kindness and support mean everything to us. Please keep David in your thoughts as we take this one step at a time.’

Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cnc3r that develops in the squamous cells, which are found on the surface of the skin and in the lining of many organs.

It often develops in sun-exposed areas like the face, ears, neck, and back, but can occur anywhere on the body.

If caught early, the five-year survival rate is around 99 percent.

But when the cnc3r has spread beyond the skin or origin site, the five-year survival rate drops to less than 50 percent.

Around 1.8million Americans are diagnosed per year and up to 15,000 di3 from the disease.

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Last week, David admitted recent results ‘completely shattered our world’ with the band starting a Go Fund Me to help with medical costs

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An update read: ‘After David’s ongoing fever and cough led us to the ER, we got results that have completely shattered our world’ (pictured in 2015)

A statement previously published by the band read: ‘As many of you know, David who is a friend to all is in the fight of his life battling aggressive squamous cell carcinoma affecting his head, neck, and throat.

‘Currently David requires around the clock care and supervision. David’s fiancée Jennifer has had to step away from traditional employment to become his full time care giver.

‘While they have applied for disability and full time caregivers assistance it is an extremely long waiting period to go through the processing and receive approval. This has put them in a dire situation.

‘This has been a devastating blow for David especially after he finally found happiness, stability, and things were going well for him.’

GMA Studio Erupts as a “New Member” is Officially Welcomed – Co-hosts Celebrate the Special News!

Robin Roberts shone a light on a special colleague at GMA on Tuesday, who is moving up the rankings of the show.

The long-running co-anchor took to Instagram on Tuesday to pay tribute to her work friend Tommy, who she referred to as part of the GMA family.

She posted a selfie of them backstage in the ABC studios, and wrote: “A very special play of the day this morn… celebrating one of our own GMA family members, Tommy! He’s moving on up… plus we finally got our selfie!”

Tommy was given a special shout-out on the show too, with Michael Strahan’s sub Whit Johnson telling viewers that Tommy had been working on the show as an intern and later a booker working the overnight shift, before moving up the ranks to work more sociable hours, all within the same role.

What’s more, Tommy has been a fan of the show since he was a teenager, and has been collecting selfies with the GMA anchors for many years.

Robin Roberts praised one of her ‘GMA family’ members who is moving on up at work

On Tuesday, as he celebrated his new role, he finally got a selfie with Robin.

GMA’s official Instagram page shared several photos of Tommy with other stars of the show from over the years, including George Stephanopoulos and Ginger Zee.

GMA’s booking producer has been getting selfies with the anchors for many years

In the caption, the show’s page wrote: “He is collecting selfies like they’re infinity stones! Long before he worked here, our booking producer @tommyfoster_’s family made it a tradition to stand outside our GMA studio and grab pics with our co-hosts — and this morning, he finally got his selfie with @robinrobertsgma LIVE from the anchor desk.”

Tommy as a child with GMA’s Ginger Zee

Robin, meanwhile, returned to GMA on Monday following a whirlwind trip to London.The former sports broadcaster and her wife, Amber Laign, went to Wembley Stadium on Friday night to watch Taylor Swift’s sell-out Eras concert.

Robin was delighted to be there, and shared a joyful selfie before going too, writing on Instagram: “Headed to Wembley!”

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Robin and Amber Laign went to London to see Taylor Swift over the weekend

The star has been working on GMA since 2005 and in 2022, she and George became the longer-running TV duo, having marked 13 years working together on GMA.

© Photo: Getty Images
Robin with her GMA co-stars Michael Strahan and George Stephanopoulos

Michael, meanwhile, joined the show in 2016. Praising working with her co-stars during an interview with AP, Robin said: “We would never, ever do anything to make each other look good at the expense of the other. That’s such a comfort. To have that, it makes you take chances, and I think the audience picks up on that — the way that we are so different in many ways but so common in others.”

Robin will be celebrating her wedding anniversary in September

The star has been incredibly open about her personal life on the show too, marking both the good and the bad times. She tied the knot on September 12 2023 and will be celebrating her first wedding anniversary next month. Many of her co-stars attended her special day, and the wedding also featured on GMA.