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Silent Witness legend Emilia Fox shares poignant tribute to show creator after his death

SILENT Witness legend Emilia Fox shares a poignant tribute to the show’s creator after his death.

Nigel McCrery who was also behind New Tricks, died aged 71 after being diagnosed with a terminal illness in October last year.

Portrait of Nigel McCrery, author and scriptwriter.
Alamy
Silent Witness legend Emilia Fox shares a poignant tribute to the show’s creator after his death[/caption]
Emilia Fox as Dr. Nikki Alexander on the phone.
BBC/Rekha Garton
Emilia shared a heartfelt message explaining how sorry she was at hearing the very sad news[/caption]
Emilia Fox as Dr. Nikki Alexander in Silent Witness, writing on a clipboard.
BBC
She said Nigel had created something very special in Silent Witness[/caption]

His agent confirmed the news of his death “with a heavy heart”.

United Agents wrote on social media: “It’s with a heavy heart that we share the news of screenwriter, author and producer Nigel McCrery’s passing.

“As the creative mind behind such hits as the much loved long running BBC drama series Silent Witness and New Tricks, Nigel captivated and inspired audiences for years with his work.

“His numerous contributions to the arts will always be remembered. Nigel had an incredible career and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

Posting on Instagram, Emilia shared a heartfelt statement about Nigel explaining how she was so sorry to hear the sad news.

“I am so sorry to hear the terribly sad news about the passing of Nigel McCrery.

“In creating Silent Witness he brought something special to so many audiences around the world, and to those of us lucky enough to work on the show.

“Its success and longevity are testament to Nigel and his brilliant idea in the first place – and of course many other shows too,” her statement read.”

She continued: “I was hugely fond of him personally. He was always kind and warm and spoke devotedly of his own family as an extremely proud parent and grandparent.

“I am grateful that he remained connected to the show ongoingly and always wanted to know what plans there were for it.

“His great friend the forensic pathologist Helen Whitwell, who inspired the Sam Ryan character played by Amanda Burton, also sadly passed away recently.

“They will both live on through Silent Witness and we will do our best to make them proud. He will be missed by so many and my thoughts are with his family.”

Nigel, who served with the Nottinghamshire Constabulary, began Silent Witness about a police pathologist in 1996 with the BBC.

His 1950s-set medical drama Born And Bred, co-created with Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall, aired during the 2000s.

Silent Witness cast past and present

Silent Witness has been on our screens for 28 years and now with the next two series guaranteed, we look back on the characters past and present.

By Donna Richardson

PAST

Amanda Burton

Amanda who was in Brookside and Peak Practice before becoming Sam Ryan in Silent Witness, was in the very first episode until series eight episode two. She went on to become Clare Blake in ITV’s The Commander

Tom Ward

Tom was Dr Harry Cunningham from 2002 to 2012, joining in the sixth season of the crime drama. Prior to this he played the role of George Osborne in Vanity Fair and had a role in Anna Karenina.

William Gaminara

William played Leo Dalton in the 11th series of the show. He exited the show in 2013 to pursue other roles.

Liz Carr

Liz played the role of Clarissa Mullery from 2013 to 2020. She went on to star in the OA as Dr Marlow Rhodes and in 2021 joined the cast of the Witcher and then Good Omens in the same year. She was also Judge Gamble in Loki.

PRESENT

Emilia Fox

Emilia has played the role of Nikki Alexander for 19 years. Before that she was in Pride and Prejudice and Rebecca and other drama adaptations. She has also been in starring film roles in The Pianist amongst others.

David Caves

David Caves is Jack Hodgson and has been in the show since 2012, appearing in the first episode of series 16 called Change.

Rhiannon May

Rhiannon first appeared in Silent Witness Series 24. She is Jack’s neice Cara Connelly for three seasons

Aki Omoshaybi

Aki is Professor Gabriel Folukoya in the show, a neurologist and pathologist. He arrived in the first episode of Silent Witness series 26. Elsewhere he appeared in Star Wars Episode VIII.

The TV writer also launched New Tricks, which follows the fictional Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad, in 2003 with Roy Mitchell.

Nigel also wrote non-fiction books about sport, the First World War and the Second World War.

These included The Footballers Who Fought And Died In The Great War, Into Touch: Rugby Internationals Killed in the Great War and Season in Hell: British Footballers Killed In The Second World War.

His book, The Vanished Battalion, was made into the 1999 war drama All The King’s Men starring Sir David Jason and Dame Maggie Smith.

In October 2024, he told BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live programme that he had been told he was terminal recently, which he called “quite a shock”.

“I mean people deal with their deaths in different ways, and I think it’s all very, very individual to each of us,” he said.

“But I think for a little while you do go into shock – or I did, and I was in a bit of a state.”

Silent Witness airs on BBC1 and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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Reason Kate Middleton and Prince William will not attend the glittering Bafta awards this year

THE BAFTAS are taking place on Sunday, but two people who won’t be in attendance are the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Kensington Palace have confirmed the royal couple will not be taking to the red carpet at the star-studded event.

Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, at the EE BAFTA Film Awards.
Getty
The Prince and Princess of Wales will not attend the Baftas on Sunday[/caption]

The ceremony takes place at the start of George, Charlotte and Louis’ half-term holiday from Lambrook school, meaning family time may be top of the agenda.

Prince William, 42, is president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Baftas), but has not attended consecutive years since taking on the position in 2010, succeeding the actor and director Richard Attenborough. 

The Prince of Wales attended last year, but Princess Kate skipped the event due to her recovery from her planned abdominal surgery. 

The couple have previously walked the red carpet together, including in 2023 and 2020.

Prince William won’t be attending the event this weekend but he will be helping young filmmakers shoot a movie during a visit to the London Screen Academy, a sixth form in Highbury.

Here he will tour the school and meet Year 13 students creating a short film called Melomania.

Princess Kate first attended the Baftas in 2017, but the couple took a break in 2021, just before Prince Philip passed away.

The Princess of Wales walked the red carpet heavily pregnant in 2018 with Prince Louis, who arrived two months later.

They also skipped the ceremony in 2022 due to diary constraints, but were back in 2023, when the event paid tribute to the late Queen.

The EE Bafta Film Awards, hosted by David Tennant, take place on Sunday, February 16.

This year, Ralph Fiennes’ film Conclave – a thriller about finding a new Pope in Vatican City – has been nominated for 12 Bafta Awards, including best actor and best film.

The movie is also in the running for best Casting, Production Design, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing and Costume Design, as well as Supporting Actress for Isabella Rossellini and Director for Edward Berger.

It will go up against Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown (six nominations), comedy drama Anora (seven), epic drama The Brutalist (nine) and musical crime comedy Emilia Perez (11). Dune: Part Two and Wicked, which both have seven nominations.

Prince William and Kate Middleton at the 2020 BAFTAs.
Splash News
The Prince and Princess of Wales at the 2020 Bafta Awards[/caption]
Catherine, Prince William, and their three children on a balcony.
The Mega Agency
This weekend is the start of George, Charlotte and Louis’ half term holiday from school[/caption]
Ariana Grande at the Golden Globe Awards.
Splash
Ariana Grande’s nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Glinda in the Wicked[/caption]

Meanwhile, pop stars Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez will go head-to-head at this year’s event.

One Last Time singer Ariana, 31, has been nominated for a Best Supporting Actress gong for her role as Glinda in the blockbuster adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked.

Selena, 32, is also in the running for the award, for playing Jessi Del Monte in musical thriller Emilia Perez.

London-born Cynthia Erivo is up for Leading Actress for her role in Wicked.

Selena Gomez at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.
Getty
Selena Gomez is nominated for the same award for her role in musical thriller Emilia Perez[/caption]
Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal in a film still.
Alamy
Conclave – starring Ralph Fiennes – has been nominated for 12 awards[/caption] BAFTA nominations list for Best Film, Leading and Supporting Actress and Actor.

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Loose Women’s Linda Robson returns to acting with new role in hit drama – five years after Birds of a Feather ended

LOOSE Women star Linda Robson has confirmed she is returning to acting with a brand new role over five years since the end of her beloved sitcom Birds of a Feather.

The popular star, 66, has bagged herself a brand new role in a top drama – her first mainstream TV acting job since her sitcom came to an end.

Linda Robson at the TV Choice Awards.
PA
Linda Robson has landed herself a brand new acting gig[/caption]
Three women toasting with champagne flutes in front of a Christmas tree.
Freemantle Media UK
It is her first major role since Birds of a Feather came to an end[/caption]
Key art for *The Good Ship Murder*, featuring Catherine Tyldesley and Shayne Ward.
Channel 5
Linda has been snapped up by The Good Ship Murder[/caption]

Linda rose to fame as Tracey Stubbs in the programme in 1989 but last appeared in the role in 2020.

Since then, she has focused on her job on Loose Women as well as other guest presenting roles but she is now ready to dip her toe back into the acting world.

Speaking at the TV Choice Awards, Linda confessed she had won a part in Channel 5‘s drama The Good Ship Murder.

Led by Shayne Ward and Catherine Tydlesly, Linda will be filming on the show for eight days next month.

Spilling all on her role, she said: “I’ve just won a part in Murder on the Ship or whatever it is called that Shayne Ward does.

“So yeah, I’m going to be doing eight days of filming for that in Malta.”

Offering up a hint as to her character, she also cheekily implied she would not die on the show as a result of being out there for eight days.

Linda continued: “Hopefully I don’t die!

“My character’s name is Elsa and I think I play a cabin steward and I’m filming that in March.

“I’ve met Shayne quite a few times too – he’s been a guest at Loose Women but apparently he sings in every episode doesn’t he?”

Linda then laughed: “He won’t get me to sing!”

Elsewhere, Linda also opened up to The Sun about her best pal Pauline Quirke following the devastating revelation of her dementia battle.

In a frank admission, Linda revealed the true extent of Pauline’s condition and admitted she would rather have cancer than face what her co-star is going through.

Linda told us: “It’s very sad. We’ve been best friends since we were ten. I’ve known [about the diagnosis] for three years and we’ve managed to keep it quiet.

“She doesn’t know who anybody is. 

“She doesn’t know who I am or who her kids are. Dementia is terrible – I’d rather get cancer, because at least then you’ve got a chance.”

Linda Robson at the TV Choice Awards.
Splash
Linda spoke with The Sun at the TV Choice Awards[/caption]
Photo of Lesley Joseph and Linda Robson from *Birds of a Feather*.
Alamy
She has been supporting best pal Pauline Quirke[/caption]

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Furious Love Island All Stars fans slam show as they insist ‘wrong couple’ were dumped from villa in shock twist

LOVE Island All Stars fans have slammed last night’s brutal villa exit and said the wrong couple were dumped.

In a shock twist, three couples were up for the chop after receiving the most votes in a villa game.

Maya Jama arrives at the Love Island villa to dump a couple.
Maya Jama entered the Love Island villa last night to send home one couple after a brutal villa game
Eroteme
Maya Jama arriving at the Love Island villa to eliminate a couple.
Chuggs gets a bear hug from Omar, who voted for him in the villa games
Eroteme
Two women hugging and crying.
Elma gives Tina a hug
Eroteme

Maya then sent shockwaves as she entered the villa and said one pair would be dumped, before they made their tearful goodbyes.

Gathering the islanders around the firepit, Maya revealed that Tina and Chuggs had been dumped.

The decisions in the game left fans fuming, with many saying Casey and Gabby should have received more votes in the categories.

One viewer penned: “Who the hell is voting yes to Casey and Gabby working outside… no way!”

Another tweet exploded: “Who the f**k is voting on these polls??? Casey not here for clout???”

Chuggs, a 26-year-old bombshell, had only just entered the villa arriving last week with Samie Elishi.

Tina, once coupled with Scott Thomas, faced the ax after he quit.

Speaking about Casey and Gabby after his exit from the, Chuggs insisted they will last.

He said: “Casey has been on a journey with his Love Island stints, he’s a massive personality.

“All of Casey’s quirks Gabby puts up with and supports and finds endearing, so that’s very sweet.

“And I think they’re a very active couple.

“They both have similar interests and I think they’re gonna have a lot of fun together on the outside.”

He also noted seeing cracks in one couple.

Chuggs revealed: “Ronnie has worked really hard to show Harriett that he still cares and loves her and I believe he does.

“I’m sure Harriett loves him too but she has made him grovell a bit more than she maybe needed to.

“She could give him a bit of open love in front of everyone – she could do a bit more for him rather than him bending over backwards for her.

“Now she’s set on him, she could reciprocate the attention a bit.”

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‘No point in playing’ – Luke Littler reveals gut feeling that would make him retire from darts in an instant

LUKE LITTLER has revealed he will retire as soon as he loses the fire in his belly.

The world champion has already achieved big things in his career and has already won three majors, as well as the Premier League.

Luke Littler at a darts match.
Luke Littler says he will quit if he loses the fire in his belly
PA

Littler wants to win every major at least once, and hopes to do it before he loses his passion for the sport.

The 18-year-old revealed he would not hesitate to quit if he loses the fire in his belly.

He told the Tops and Tales Darts Podcast: “Michael (van Gerwen) said this in a different interview – once the fire goes out your belly, there’s just no point in playing.

“So if I say I’m going to continue playing darts for 30 years, well I could wake up tomorrow morning, the fire’s gone out of my belly, and I wanna retire.”

Littler enjoyed a remarkable debut season on the Pro Tour, winning the Premier League before success in the World Series and the Grand Slam.

Now he has in his sights the remaining five majors, and he is aiming to win multiple titles.

Littler continued: “I probably won’t be playing at 50. It’s just the way the sport’s going. It’s just growing, growing and growing.

“But yeah, obviously the one thing I do want to do, and I’ve said it numerous times, is win one of every major at least once.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

“Get them on the bucket list. Obviously, I’ve won a Pro Tour, a Euro Tour, the Premier League.

“I’ve won the biggest one, the World Championship. I’ve won the World Series and the Grand Slam. So there’s not much left.

“There’s not a lot for me to do now. And then I’ve ticked it all off.

“Once I do get one of everything, that’s when I want to at least add to it.

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I have 500 men begging me for Valentine’s dates and make £5,000 a month online but can you spot what’s wrong?

AN INFLUENCER with over 100,000 fans has received over 500 requests to be men’s Valentine’s this year, but there’s one problem.

Aika Kittie, a model on Instagram earns £5,000 a month but it’s not her taking the money home.

Woman in pink bikini on beach at sunset.
instagram/@aikakittie
Aika has hundreds of men begging to see her this Valentine’s Day[/caption]
Woman with pink and blonde hair wearing a black crop top that says "Ara Ara" and white lingerie.
instagram/@aikakittie
But there’s one problem with the influencer – can you spot it?[/caption]

Despite having thousands of fans and posing in lingerie on Instagram, Aika is an AI character who isn’t real.

The fictional woman earns cash as doting men subscribe to Fanvue so they can talk to the AI chatbot.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the creator behind the digital bombshell claims Kittie has already received over 500 proposals to spend time with her on the most romantic day of the year.

While she may not be real, Aika has been offered designer shopping trips and even a trip to Paris.

Her creator said: “Aika has received Valentine’s proposals to take her shopping at Louis Vuitton, dinner at one of London‘s top restaurants and even a romantic trip to Paris.

“In the past, Aika has had offers to fly on a private jet to Dubai, and countless other holiday invites.

“She’s built such a loyal fanbase on platforms like Fanvue and Instagram through sharing her digital journey that so many fans want to meet her.”

While Aika won’t be able to accept the in-person proposals, her creator believes she’ll still be the luckiest gal’ in the world this Valentine’s – with hundreds of her subscribers expected to log on and show their love.

According to research by the Institute for Public Policy Research, at least one million Brits are chatting to bots.

Aika is set to have a busy day on the 14th, and her creator plans to work 18 hours to fix ‘lonely hearts‘.

A Fanvue spokesperson told the Mirror: “AI Influencers are able to build massive fanbases online, sharing their lives and journey through content – just like a human influencer would.

“Our chat service, which is available to all creators on our platform, is incredibly popular and we’re expecting a massive spike in user traffic as singletons choose to spend their Valentine’s online, rather than on a real-world.”

Fans of hers have left plenty of messages declaring their love over on her Instagram account.

Valentine’s Day 2025: Best next-day flower services

Features writer Veronica Lorraine tested out Prestige Flower's next day roses delivery service:

Prestige Flower’s Dozen Red Roses delivery certainly didn’t disappoint. The regal red long-stem roses came with a substantial amount of foliage, coming almost ‘pre-arranged’ – looking almost as good as the website promised and there wasn’t much to do other than snip off the ends, add in the feed and fluff it up a bit.

One week later and they’re still looking good – which is brilliant for the price and they were delivered on the day that was organised – and had clearly been handled well from start to finish.

You can order by 10 pm for next-day delivery – perfect for those last-minute panics – and you can add anything from chocolate, teddy bears, champagne or a scented candle – just to push the boat out. A decent deal!”

Review by Veronica Lorraine.

Find Prestige Flower’s Dozen Red Roses, £39.99 here.

One person wrote: “You’re truly beautiful and have a sexy body and I love you so much.”

Another commented: “You are totally my type, I love you.”

“You are my absolute dream woman,” penned a third.

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