Arts & Entertainment

Judy and Roxy Wilson have publicly endorsed government proposals to widen foster parent eligibility in England — including single people, renters and those in full-time work — as part of plans aiming to add 10,000 foster places by 2029/30.

Fans in China have embraced Draco Malfoy as an auspicious figure for the Year of the Horse because the Mandarin transliteration of his name, mǎ ěr fú, includes characters meaning "horse" and "fortune", prompting memes and themed merchandise.

Penny, a 4-year-old Doberman pinscher, won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, prevailing over more than 3,000 dogs at the 150th annual event.

Italy is introducing tactile models, braille signs, audio guides and adapted tours so people who are blind or have low vision can experience museums and historic sites.

UNESCO inscribed Kamal ud-Din Behzad's miniature art on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December, and artists in Herat say the recognition has offered morale as restrictions have limited exhibitions and public displays of figurative work.

Miranda Kerr told Paul C Brunson's podcast that she and ex-husband Orlando Bloom prioritise their son Flynn's needs and described their co-parenting arrangement as harmonious.

Director Sam Mendes filmed recreated scenes of The Beatles' 1964 New York arrival in central London, using period cars, costumes and extras to portray the crowds. The sequences are part of a four-film anthology about the band that is due to be released simultaneously in 2028.

The final Park City edition of the Sundance festival experienced slower sales and a mixed slate of films, and the festival is set to relocate to Boulder, Colorado next year.

A woman on trial at Derby Crown Court told jurors she felt like a monster after her partner's remains were found in a Derby garden. The partner had been reported missing in 2010 and the remains were discovered in June 2025 after the defendant alerted police; the trial is ongoing.

Sam Mendes filmed London scenes recreating The Beatles' 1964 Plaza Hotel arrival for a four-film anthology starring Paul Mescal, Harris Dickinson, Joseph Quinn and Barry Keoghan; production will use Abbey Road Studios and is scheduled for simultaneous release in 2028.

Kelly Clarkson announced on Instagram that this season will be her last hosting The Kelly Clarkson Show so she can prioritize her children after the recent death of their father; she said she will continue making music and is slated to appear on The Voice: Battle of the Champions on Feb 23.

Jack Thorne describes William Golding's Lord of the Flies as a "remarkably tender" portrait of boys and is adapting the novel into a four-part BBC series.

Kristen Stewart said she was advised to hide relationships with women and chose to come out because she did not want to live a 'partial life'.

Jesy Nelson says she supports a UK ban on social media for under-16s after describing online abuse and its effect on her mental health. The government launched a consultation on the issue last month.

James Valentine, a longtime ABC Radio Sydney presenter, said he will retire and will not return after his latest cancer treatment; he has been with the broadcaster for more than 30 years.

Billie Eilish's Grammy comments led to online calls for her to return or host migrants at her Los Angeles home after the Tongva tribe confirmed the property sits on their ancestral land.

Bad Bunny's Debí Tirar Más Fotos won album of the year at the 2026 Grammy Awards, and several artists used their acceptance speeches to criticize U.S. immigration enforcement.

Disney World's Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom closed permanently on Sunday after nearly 30 years of operation, drawing long final-day queues and many social-media remembrances. The area will be redeveloped into an 11-acre Tropical Americas land expected to open in fall 2027 with an Indiana Jones-themed ride and an Encanto 'casita' attraction.

Fela Kuti became the first African to receive the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award, honoured posthumously alongside Chaka Khan, Cher, Carlos Santana and Whitney Houston.

Olivia Dean won Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammys and used her acceptance speech to honour her immigrant family roots.

Steve Wright has pleaded guilty to the 1999 murder of 17-year-old Victoria Hall and to the attempted kidnap of Emily Doherty; he is already serving a whole life sentence for five other murders. Mr Justice Bennathan has said Wright will be sentenced on Friday at the Old Bailey so Victoria's family can attend and submit victim impact statements.

The song "Golden," from Netflix's animated film KPop Demon Hunters, won the Grammy for best song written for visual media at the 68th Grammys, and South Koreans marked the result with public celebrations and media attention.

Steven Spielberg won the Grammy for Best Music Film for Music By John Williams, completing an Emmy–Grammy–Oscar–Tony (EGOT) and becoming the 22nd person to do so.

Representatives for Beyoncé did not respond to the BBC's requests for comment. The win prompted discussion about long-standing racial tensions in country music and how awards classifications reflect that history.

Jenna Ortega paid tribute on Instagram to Catherine O'Hara after the actress's death, calling her 'one of the greats.' Several co-stars, including Eugene Levy and Macaulay Culkin, also shared memories and condolences.

Jelly Roll attended a pre-Grammy gala in Beverly Hills after losing about 300 pounds and is nominated for three Grammy awards this year.

Catherine O'Hara died in Los Angeles at 71, with her agency saying she succumbed to a reported 'brief illness'. New photos show her husband, production designer Bo Welch, in public following her passing.

Jo Glanville writes that reading aloud to her parents with dementia brought moments of engagement and that evaluations of The Reader's programmes and a Liverpool study reported reductions in symptom severity and improved wellbeing.

Birmingham's Light Festival runs from 12–15 February with 11 artworks across the city, including installations and live performances at venues such as the Bullring, Brindleyplace and Oozells Square.

The Recording Academy presented Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Special Merit Awards to Chaka Khan, Cher, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Fela Kuti and Whitney Houston; Chaka Khan attended and accepted her award in person.