Features, explainers and long-form stories from across the UK.
There’s something about a scarecrow with a misplaced head and a stubborn streak that sticks with you. For generations of British children, that figure has been Worzel Gummidge—a character who first rustled to life on BBC radio in 1935 and has since hopped between books, two major TV adaptations, and even a New Zealand spin-off. … Read more
Few TV antiques experts can say they once helped run a city. Danny Sebastian is one of them. Before he became a familiar face on Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip, he served as Leicester’s first Black councillor — a chapter in his life that predates his nearly 20 years of self-taught dealing. First Black … Read more
When Stephanie McMahon steps into a room, it’s hard not to feel the weight of a legacy that spans four generations of wrestling promotion. She grew up in the glare of WWE’s spotlight, worked her way from receptionist to chief brand officer, and then walked away in 2023. Age: 48 (as of 2024) · Net … Read more
Most of us first met Mawaan Rizwan through a screen — maybe a YouTube sketch, maybe the surreal chaos of Taskmaster, maybe a moment of quiet honesty in his documentary about being gay in Pakistan. What started as a bedroom YouTube channel has turned into a BAFTA-winning television career, and he’s done it without losing … Read more
Jon Rahm’s swing is one of the most explosive in golf, but few people know it was forged by a condition he has had since birth. This profile separates confirmed facts from rumors about his clubfoot, his reported $300–500 million LIV deal, and the questions that still surround him. Full name: Jon Rahm Rodríguez · … Read more
There aren’t many people who can say they’ve gone from professional BMX racing to rebuilding a Bugatti Veyron on YouTube, but Mat Armstrong is one of them. The Leicester-born creator has turned a knack for fixing wrecked luxury cars into a channel with over 3 million subscribers, all while navigating a serious accident that nearly … Read more
Frank Zappa never fit neatly into any box — he was a self-taught composer, satirist, and guitarist who produced over 60 albums. This guide connects his biography, death, and the afterlives of his work and home. Full name: Frank Vincent Zappa · Born: December 21, 1940 · Died: December 4, 1993 · Cause of death: … Read more
Few actors could switch from a menacing London gangster to a cartoon-loving detective with the same natural grit. Bob Hoskins did exactly that, and in doing so became one of Britain’s most beloved screen presences. This article tracks his journey from Suffolk-born tough guy to Hollywood star, and explains the health battle that led to … Read more
If you’ve seen Stephen Mangan’s quick wit on screen, you can trace part of it back to County Mayo, Ireland, where his parents were born, and the British actor spent childhood summers in the west of Ireland, his identity straddling two cultures. From his twin sister Anita to his Catholic upbringing and career in shows … Read more
There’s a unique kind of resilience that comes from growing up in front of millions of people, and few embody it quite like Donny Osmond. From being a 1970s teen idol to facing a terrifying moment on stage when he suddenly couldn’t feel his arms or legs, his story is one of reinvention and recovery. … Read more