Author: britishbulletin.com

Ken Bruce has taken aim at the BBC for its persistent attempts to attract younger viewers and listeners, arguing the strategy often backfires on successful programmes.The 75-year-old broadcaster departed his mid-morning Radio 2 slot in 2023 following nearly five decades with BBC radio, subsequently joining Greatest Hits Radio.In an interview with the Telegraph, Mr Bruce acknowledged enjoying his time at the corporation and feeling “very proud to work for the BBC,” whilst noting its recurring tendency to chase younger demographics.”You see it at the BBC all the time. They have a successful show, and they say, ‘Let’s get (younger)…'” he…

Dartmoor ponies will be protected at their current levels following fears of a potential cull, ministers have said.Campaigners had raised concerns that new Natural England contracts requiring reduced grazing on the Devon moor’s commons could lead to the removal of up to 90% of the ponies.But the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the animals will be removed from stocking rate calculations – meaning farmers would not face a choice between keeping ponies and maintaining sheep or cattle.Defra said the long-term future of the ponies had been secured through a package of “new protections and financial support”.Pony…

Saturday’s World Cup third-place play-off between England and France and Sunday’s World Cup final will both be shown live on BBC TV.England lost 2-1 to Argentina in dramatic fashion in Wednesday’s semi-final a day after France were beaten 2-0 by Spain in their last-four tie.Saturday’s match, which is now known as the bronze final, will kick off at 22:00 BST.Argentina will face Spain in the final a day later, with a 20:00 BST kick-off.Both matches will be shown live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer – and there will be live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live. ITV will also…

A historical theatre, which has been closed for three years, will remain shut until 2027 after “more widespread” asbestos and major building issues were found. Oldham’s Coliseum Theatre is being refurbished after a long campaign to save the venue, backed by former Coronation Street actor Julie Hesmondhalgh.The theatre is now expected to reopen in 2027 after securing an extra £7m grant to clear the asbestos and fix structural defects beneath a staircase.Hesmondhalgh said: “Everyone understands that getting things right and making the beautiful old girl properly future-proof is the number one priority.”The theatre, on Fairbottom Street had been undergoing a…

Rachel Reeves’ “eye-watering” tobacco taxes are driving Newcastle residents into the “clutches of organised criminals”, the Reform Leader at Newcastle City Council has warned.One in seven cigarettes in the UK is now illicit and the Chancellor’s tobacco taxes pulled in £1.3billion less than expected in the year to June 2025, according to HMRC’s latest figures – indicating smokers are turning away from legal products, to cheaper, illegal alternatives. However, in Newcastle, one in five smokers are buying and using illicit products, according to a 2025 survey. Despite the city’s rampant illicit trade, a new Freedom of Information request has revealed…

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has launched a blistering attack on Buckingham Palace, likening the royal residence to the chaotic hotel from the classic BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers.The 61-year-old television personality and former Changing Rooms presenter visited the iconic building recently and came away distinctly unimpressed.”I was at Buckingham Palace recently and it looks like Fawlty Towers. Once a grand, lovely space, it now has a feeling of a shuffy old golf hotel, which smells of cabbage and sticky carpets,” he told Heat magazine.The flamboyant designer, known for his bold aesthetic choices, suggested the Palace could use one of his trademark transformations.Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen…

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Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has admitted he “got it wrong” when he falsely accused a man on social media of filming children in a Glasgow park. Footage of UK-born Quoroum Beg with a mobile phone in his hand began circulating last Sunday, with Robinson labelling him an “invader”. Beg was in fact filming an anti-immigration demonstration which had earlier forced him and his children, along with other families, to leave the park in the city’s Gorbals area. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has now issued a correction on X, saying: “In this instance I got it wrong, as…

Third one-day international, BreadyIreland 193 all out (43.1 overs): Lewis 50 (59), Paul 32 (47); Ramharack 3-33West Indies 257 all out (50 overs): Taylor 105 (113), Alleyne 33 (30); Prendergast 2-37West Indies won by 64 runs for 3-0 series successScorecardWest Indies beat Ireland by 64-runs to complete a comfortable 3-0 one-day international series win in Bready.The tourists, who claimed victories in the first two games of the series, were made to bat first after losing the toss.Stafanie Taylor contributed 105 off 113 deliveries for her second century of the series as her side were all out for 257.Orla Prendergast, Georgina…