Heavy rain to lash 18C Greater Manchester this weekend before temperatures dip next week

Although Britney Spears, 40, has made it clear that she’s done with her family, her mom Lynne Spears, 66, is still reaching out to the singer — at least on Instagram. The one-sided interaction happened on Feb. 15, when Britney posted footage of her adorable Australian shepherd puppy named Sawyer that she and fiancé Sam Asghari took home from Hawaii. The “Toxic” hitmaker gushed over the cute canine in her lengthy caption, which led her millions of followers, Lynne included, to post messages about Sawyer in the comments section.

Girl In Red has signed a new record deal with Columbia Records.The Norwegian artist, real name Marie Ulven, previously released music through a worldwide recordings deal with AWAL (Artists Without A Label), a company which offers independent musicians an alternative to working with a traditional record label.Following the success of her April 2021 debut album ‘If I Could Make It Go Quiet’, Ulven has now signed to Columbia for her future releases.The label confirmed the news to Variety yesterday (February 15), though neither Columbia or Girl In Red have officially announced the signing at the time of writing.Speaking to NME at Reading Festival back in August, Ulven confirmed that she was working on new Girl In Red material.“I’m already working on new stuff, I’m really excited to see what’s going to happen,” she said, before reiterating that she isn’t interested in releasing singles at the moment.“I still don’t think singles are that interesting. I honestly don’t even know at this point,” Ulven continued.

An easyJet flight into Glasgow was forced into an aborted landing this afternoon due to high winds linked to Storm Dudley.

Balkan Insight, Depp was award the honour for his “outstanding merits in public and cultural activities, especially in the field of film art and the promotion of the Republic of Serbia in the world”.Receiving the award, The Daily Mail reports that Depp said: “I truly, sincerely thank you, President Vucic, and this medal of merit, if I am given the honour to walk away with this, I thank you for being kind enough to bestow it upon me.”The publication went on to say that Depp explained he was “right now on the verge of a new life”, adding: “I like a re-beginning, and I would love for that beginning to start here.”The actor had labelled himself a victim of “cancel culture” last year after being dropped from a number of projects in light of losing his bid to overturn a libel case that concluded he assaulted his ex-wife Amber Heard.Meanwhile, a documentary series focusing on the relationship between Johnny Depp and Heard is currently in development at Discovery+.The two-part series, called Johnny Vs. Amber, will break down the couple’s marriage, divorce and consequent legal action against each other, from multiple viewpoints.“Through the tapes, home videos and text messages shown in court, these films give viewers a rare and important insight into a marriage that went tragically wrong, and to better understand the hugely important issue of domestic violence,” explained producer Nick Hornby, via Deadline.

The fight for Premiership survival took a serious twist on Wednesday as Dundee abruptly sacked manager James McPake.

Foals have revealed that plans are afoot for side-projects and solo albums from within the band – including frontman Yannis Philippakis’ long-awaited record with Fela Kuti icon Tony Allen.The Oxford band were speaking to NME for this week’s Big Read cover story to launch their upcoming seventh album, ‘Life Is Yours’.Philippakis first revealed that he had been at work on a side-project with Fela Kuti percussionist Allen back in 2017, before telling NME of his plans to finish the record in April 2020 – just weeks before the icon died.Yannis has now revealed that he has plans to return to Paris, where Allen was living, to finish the project later this month – as well as discussing how the drummer’s passing shaped his own creative outlook during the writing of ‘Life Is Yours’.“In relation to Tony, it was understanding that even though he’s gone physically from the world, the music that he made will go on forever,” Philippakis told NME. “When I’m gone, the songs will hopefully live on.”He added: “There’s an alchemy in looking at music in that way.

Inventing Anna subject Anna Sorokin is set to receive her own docuseries courtesy of Bunim/Murray Productions.The fake heiress who conned banks out of hundreds of thousands of dollars will be the main focus of a new project, after Shonda Rhimes’ scripted Netflix series starring Julia Garner aired last week.Sorokin, also known as Anna Delvey, is currently being held in detention by immigration authorities as she awaits the verdict after overstaying her visa. She was sentenced in 2019 and released in 2021, for the crimes portrayed in Inventing Anna.The new series is set to “begin where Inventing Anna” ends, reports Deadline.“It will follow the fast-moving events as her future changes day-to-day.

Residents on a Lanarkshire street were awoken by a huge tree falling right outside their homes.

Eurovision put on hold following an investigation by a TV broadcaster.On Saturday (February 12), Alina Pash booked her ticket to the world’s biggest song contest after winning Vidbir, the nationally televised selection show that Ukraine uses to find its Eurovision entry.Eight hopefuls competed in Vidbir, with a combination of a public vote and a jury vote determining the winner, both contributing 50 per cent of the points.However, Ukraine’s national broadcaster UA:PBC has now “suspended” the signing of the agreement for Pash to be the country’s representative at the song contest due to an investigation into a 2015 trip she made to Crimea, an area Russia seized control of in 2014.Visiting Crimea is frowned upon as there are strict rules in place on how people should travel to the region. Ukrainians and foreigners are only allowed to travel there through official land checkpoints.

WarnerMedia is partnering with the Black Beauty Roster platform for diverse hair and makeup education, talent, and advocacy, to expand the presence of emerging and diverse beauty professionals on its upcoming slate of film and TV productions.

Evanescence and Within Temptation have been forced to reschedule their upcoming UK and European tour once again.The two bands had initially been due to head out on the ‘Worlds Collide’ tour back in 2020, but the tour has been postponed a number of times since due to the coronavirus pandemic.The long-awaited gigs were then set to finally kick off next month, but Evanescence and Within Temptation have announced today (February 16) that the shows will now take place in November and December.“As the world is slowly reopening again, we have been feeling optimistic about the tour actually taking place in March and April.

Giorgos Giakoumakis has revealed that his Parkhead move wasn't influenced by European nights and that the size of the club speaks for itself.

Simon Biles had a very special Valentine's Day. On Monday, the Olympic medalist was in for a big surprise when her boyfriend, Jonathan Owens, a player for the Houston Texans, got down on one knee to pop the big question.

Chet Hanks is opening up about what it was truly like growing up in the spotlight as one of Tom Hanks' children. The 31-year-old posted a 13-minute video to his new YouTube channel in which he gets vulnerable about growing up "privileged" and being judged as "spoiled" due to his father and mother Rita Wilson's fame. "There's a lot of advantages but sometimes it can be pretty weird," Chet said of being born into a famous family, adding that the advantages are "self-explanatory." While he stressed that he's been "grateful" and "blessed" for the life he's lived, he also said growing up as the son of a "beloved" actor is a "double-edged sword." Chet Hanks posted a video on his new YouTube account where he reveals "the truth" about growing up as Tom Hanks' son.

Celebs Go Dating is set to be emotional on Wednesday night as Ryan-Mark Parsons takes a "massive step" with date Gregory. In an exclusive clip obtained by OK! , it sees Ryan-Mark, 21, open up to Gregory about why he has been "defensive and guarded' on the E4 series. Sitting around an outside fire during their mini break, Gregory asks: 'What about you, how did you come out?" To which Ryan-Mark says: "I mean I never really talk about it because I don't let it define me.

Kerry Katona broke down in tears as she reunited with her foster father during an episode of Steph's Packed Lunch on Channel 4. The former Atomic Kitten pop star, 41, was overcome with emotion as she reflected on their relationship and how much he did for her growing up. Mum-of-five Kerry lived with four different foster families from the age of 13.

ITV viewers have spotted a major blunder in the new drama No Return with the car number plates. Fans tuned in for the latest instalment of the drama starring Sheridan Smith as Kathy Powell, a mother of one who becomes entangled in a murder investigation while on holiday with her family in Turkey. The gripping new series began with Kathy’s 16 year old son, Noah, played by Andy Serkis's son Louis Ashbourne Serkis being accused and arrested for murder of another young boy.

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian's relationship since parting ways has grown more complicated over the last few weeks, with Kanye - now known as Ye - posting public messages to his estranged wife. Kanye, 44, has been embroiled in an ongoing feud with Kim over the last few weeks as the former couple have attempted to navigate coparenting their children North, eight, Saint, six, Chicago, four, and Psalm two, and relationships in the public eye. The rapper had been vocal about Kim's reported new boyfriend, Pete Davidson, in a series of Instagram posts, including calling him a "d***head" and mocking his Hilary Clinton tattoo.

They recently announced they’re expecting their first child together, and now a source has exclusively told OK! that Chloe Madeley and James Haskell “probably won’t stop at one” baby. Fitness star Chloe revealed she was pregnant on her Instagram account, sharing a series of clips and snaps of her ultrasound scans, as well as a picture of herself holding up a pink sleepsuit alongside her famous mum Judy Finnigan. And the source says that the little one has come at the perfect time for Chloe and former rugby player James.

Angelique Jackson Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and David Oyelowo’s Yoruba Saxon have partnered with Netflix to produce the film adaptation of “Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun.”Based on the upcoming book by British-Nigerian author, journalist and hair care educator Tọlá Okogwu, “Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun” tells the tale of a teenager who learns she has powers and travels to Nigeria to learn more about her origins, where she discovers a threat to her newfound magical community.Described as “Black Panther” meets “X-Men” or “Percy Jackson,” the book is the first in an action-packed series for middle-grade children and will be published by Simon & Schuster in the U.S. and U.K.

Kate Aurthur editorHBO Max announced Wednesday that “Our Flag Means Death” — a new comedy from creator David Jenkins and Oscar-winning executive producer Taika Waititi — will premiere on March 3, and unveiled its trailer and the show’s key art.In “Our Flag Means Death,” Rhys Darby (“Flight of the Conchords”) plays 18th century gentleman Stede Bonnet, who gives up a life of comfort to become the captain of a pirate ship called Revenge. The plot, according to its logline, is: “Struggling to earn the respect of his potentially mutinous crew, Stede’s fortunes change after a fateful run-in with the infamous Captain Blackbeard, played by Waititi.

Tom Holland is no stranger to stunt-work, with six movies as the Marvel hero Spider-Man under his belt.And now, there’s “Uncharted.” He plays young treasure hunter Nathan Drake in Sony’s feature film adaptation of the PlayStation video game series of the same name. The actor spent his time on set getting hit by cars and vaulting over bannisters and railings.

Ethan Shanfeld The world’s favorite K-pop band will grace the big screen in theaters worldwide on March 12, with the release of new concert film “BTS Permission to Dance on Stage – Seoul: Live Viewing.”The event marks the first live worldwide cinema broadcast of a concert from South Korea. With a three-hour run time, “Permission to Dance on Stage” features BTS’ greatest hit songs from across their catalog.Tickets for the concert event are on sale in North and South America, Europe and Oceania on Feb.

Alissa Simon Film CriticUzbekistan-born Michael Borodin makes a searing feature debut with the Russia-Turkey-Slovenia co-production “Convenience Store,” a story of modern slavery in Moscow, taking places under the noses of thousands of indifferent witnesses. Demonstrating his interest in pressing social issues, Borodin’s Berlinale Panorama selection was inspired by his personal experience as an illegal immigrant to Russia and the 2012 case of the “Golyanovo slaves,” which is now making its way to the European Court of Human Rights.Developed through the Next Step program of Cannes’ Critics’ Week and other co-production markets, the film, like the case of the Golyanovo slaves, centers on citizens of the former Soviet Republics, who are illegal migrants to Moscow and forced to work long hours, unpaid, in 24/7 convenience shops, without being able to leave the premises.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorJeremy Vuernick has been promoted to president of A&R for Capitol Music Group (CMG), it was announced today by CMG chair & CEO Michelle Jubelirer.In his elevated role, he will lead the company’s A&R team, sign and develop artists for the company, as well as oversee recording projects for new and established artists spanning the company’s portfolio of labels. He also will work closely with Jubelirer as a key member of her executive team to set the creative direction of the company. He is based in the company’s Capitol Records Tower in Hollywood and reports to Jubelirer.Vuernick joined CMG’s Astralwerks label in 2013 after two years as an A&R executive at long-running electronic label Ultra Music.

Guy Lodge Film CriticHaving long been mired in a writer’s block that she fears might be terminal, celebrated novelist Junhee decides the solution is to try another medium altogether, and sets out make a film. She has an actor, and a cinematographer, but no clear idea of what her film should be about — and that’s okay, she decides, since it will all emerge in time.

J. Kim Murphy The 27th Critics Choice Awards are going global. The Critics Choice Association announced Wednesday morning that its upcoming awards ceremony’s telecast will unfold with broadcasts from events in both London and Los Angeles.“The role of the Critics Choice Awards in the entertainment world has grown exponentially over the past quarter century,” Joey Berlin, CEO of the Critics Choice Association, said in a statement.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMelissa Fumero has joined the upcoming Netflix comedy series “Blockbuster,” Variety has learned.Fumero joins previously announced cast member Randall Park in the single-cam comedy, which takes place at the last Blockbuster Video in America. Further castings for the ensemble workplace comedy will be announced at a later date.Fumero will play Eliza, described as a dedicated mother whose marriage to her high school sweetheart is on the rocks. She left Harvard after one semester to start a family and now works at Blockbuster alongside Timmy (Park) as his trusty number two.Fumero is best known for her starring role as Det.

Angelique Jackson WarnerMedia has partnered with Black Beauty Roster and its network of 10,000 vetted beauty professionals in an effort to advance diversity in hair and makeup on set.Through the new relationship, WarnerMedia and Black Beauty Roster (BBR) aim to address a problem that is twofold — first, addressing the concerns of talent of color who’ve been underserved on sets by helping producers and executives find hair stylists and makeup artists skilled in working with their hair textures and skin tones; and second, creating opportunity for those artists to work on productions and special events, which is oft complicated by union regulations and rosters. “We [at WarnerMedia] had done these listening sessions to hear about the concerns that were happening, and, of course, one of the biggest things was hair and makeup,” Yvette Urbina tells Variety, explaining the genesis of this initiative.