Bill Roache says Corrie writer got ideas for character names from gravestones

Strictly Come Dancing star Pasha Kovalev has broken his silence over Russia's invasion in Ukraine, which has saddened the world. The Russian-born dancer - who is married to Rachel Riley - confessed the heartbreaking conflict was "too close to home" in an emotional post.MORE: Motsi Mabuse issues heartbreaking plea over 'racism' experienced amid Ukraine crisisIn an announcement, posted on Instagram on Wednesday, he wrote: "The current situation in Ukraine hits too close to home for the both of us as Russian nationals.WATCH: Rachel Riley melts hearts with adorable video of Pasha with their daughters"Our passport may say one thing but our hearts are with our family, friends and everyone still in Ukraine that are fighting for freedom and lives."MORE: Dan Walker forced to apologise after 'difficult' BBC Breakfast coverageDONATE NOW: What can you do to help Ukraine?Pasha, who has co-created Rise Up With the Arts with Anya Garni, explained how the proceeds from their performances will go to Save The Children charity."It only feels right that our show - Rise Up With the Arts, along with 3 charities that we are already supporting, will now focus on donating funds raised to the Save The Children charity that helps children and young people affected by this terrible conflict," the message continued."They say it takes a village to rise a child but this time it will take the whole world to make the change happen and end this madness.

ITV thriller No Return has made many viewers think twice about dusting off their passports. The tense drama saw Sheridan Smith play Kathy Powell, whose family are dragged into a nightmare while on holiday in Turkey.The plot centred around Kathy's teenage son Noah, who was accused of sexual assaulting another boy.

Connor Ratliff spent the last 20 years trying to figure out why Tom Hanks fired him from a small role on HBO’s Band of Brothers.

It feels like just yesterday that 5 Seconds of Summer burst onto the pop scene; having pie fights with One Direction, singing of American Apparel underwear and such. Now, though, 5SOS have 5 solid albums under their belts and are starting to get married and stuff. Madness.

Madonna has finally released a new version of Frozen; remixed by Sickick and featuring Afronbeats legend Fireboy DML. 

Coronation Street star Sam Robertson will stay at the ITV soap, despite rumours that he might be leaving Weatherfield behind. The 36 year old, who plays Adam Barlow, has signed a new deal to stay on the cobbles for another year, after hinting that he might quit the show after his latest dramatic storyline. A source told The Sun: “Sam is a huge talent and bosses are thrilled he’s signed a new contract.

Strictly Come Dancing professional Nikita Kuzmin has shared his 'heartbreak' at the horrific videos and pictures emerging from war torn Ukraine, where he grew up. The dancer, 24, appeared on Lorraine Kelly's show via videolink on Thursday morning and explained to the host that he has seen tghe very streets he walked as a child being bombed by Russian forces.

Married at First Sight season nine is in full swing introducing a whole new batch of brides and grooms. Ella Ding is one of this year's singles signed up to walk down the aisle with a total stranger.The 27 year old's appearance on the reality show has left viewers curious to find out more about her life before the experiment. Ella lives in a trendy three bedroom home located in Melbourne's Bayside suburb of Brighton East.Thanks to social media, she is often sharing updates from her home giving glimpses into her interior style.

Tom Parker has unfortunately been forced to pull out of The Wanted's first concerts as he continues to fight cancer.The singer is still receiving experimental treatment in Spain, but the boyband is due to kick off their return with the start of their UK tour in Glasgow this evening, Thursday 3 March.The 33 year old, who is currently staying in a private hospital in the European country, had hoped to return in time to perform with his bandmates. But sadly, logistical issues with the treatment schedule have meant he will need to continue the programme for a few more days.Tom, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2020, initially old his fans the grade four glioblastoma was inoperable, and as a result, terminal.

SEVENTEEN member Hoshi has tested positive for COVID-19, according to his label Pledis Entertainment.Today (March 3), Pledis Entertainment shared in an official statement to South Korean outlet SPOTV News that Hoshi had been diagnosed with the coronavirus after experiencing symptoms the day before.“Starting the afternoon of March 2 (Wednesday), Hoshi experienced [symptoms of] a cough and a sore throat, so he used a self-testing kit and checked that he tested positive,” Pledis Entertainment wrote, as translated by Soompi. “He immediately carried out a PCR test, and on the morning of March 3 (Thursday), he tested positive for COVID-19.”The company then shared an update of Hoshi’s current condition, clarifying that he is currently undergoing self-isolation at home while he recovers from the virus. “Currently, Hoshi has no other symptoms besides a cough and a sore throat, so he is receiving treatment at home,” it said.“All the SEVENTEEN members besides Wonwoo and Vernon checked that they tested negative through the tests they preemptively carried out using self-testing kits on the afternoon of March 2 (Wednesday), and they do not have any symptoms,” Pledis added.

Patti Smith will headline a new one-day festival in London.Higher Ground Festival will take place on the slopes of Alexandra Palace on July 24. It will be headlined by Smith, with Nadine Shah, Connie Constance, Spelling, Nabihah Iqbal and Joviale also confirmed to be performing.Higher Ground Festival will also host DJ sets, workshops, talks and readings.

Charli XCX has confirmed that she backed out of performing at an NFT festival due to backlash from her fans about its exclusivity.The pop singer said in a new interview that fans gave her a “lot of flack” over her decision to play Afterparty, an event taking place in Las Vegas later this month with headlining sets from the Chainsmokers and The Kid LAROI.But only those who own a Utopian NFT, can fund their own Utopian NFT or were invited by the owner of a Utopian NFT could attend the event. Some Charli XCX fans questioned her move to play an NFT event, saying the community is “negative” and “rife with plagiarism”.“I pulled out of the festival.

Lizzo has called herself a “body icon” in a new interview about beauty standards, adding that she “wasn’t supposed to be a sex symbol”.Speaking to People, the singer explained how her parents “taught me at a very young age how America treats Black people. How it treats Black women”. She added: “I saw very quickly how we treat fat people.”“I wasn’t supposed to make it this far.

Maguire has struggled for consistency this season, with calf and rib injuries interrupting his rhythm.The 28-year-old defender has made 27 appearances in all competitions for United this campaign, but was left out of the side in the most recent game against Watford on Saturday. Ralf Rangnick explained the decision was down to the need for “fresh legs, energy and the tactical demands against this Watford team.” But The Times now reports that there are tensions behind the scenes at United, with Maguire’s selection being privately questioned by members of the squad.

Russian tycoon has been found dead in his garage in his UK mansion just days after Russia's invasion of the Ukraine. Mikhail Watford's body was found by a gardener on the exclusive Wentworth Estate in Surrey on Monday (February 28).The 66-year-old father-of-three made his millions from oil refineries in Ukraine and then from a successful property firm after he had moved to Britain.

Premier League season, the race for the elusive final Champions League spot went right down to the wire.Chelsea and Liverpool went head-to-head at Stamford Bridge in what was dubbed 'the £20million match'.It was a winner takes all affair which would have seen one side qualify for the Champions League and the other settle for a place in the UEFA Cup.But goals from Marcel Desailly and Jesper Gronkjaer cancelled out Semi Hypia’s opener for Liverpool to send the West Londoners into the Champions League.A couple of months later, Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea for around £140m, and Daily Star Sport considers the Blues’ first team which sealed their place in the Champions League. Carlo Cudicini was still Chelsea’s undisputed No.1 goalkeeper at the time, while a back four of Mario Melchiot, William Gallas, Marcel Desailly, and Celestine Babayaro held down the fort.

Cristiano Ronaldo for Manchester United’s Premier League derby with Manchester City on Sunday.The United manager will stick with under-fire star Ronaldo ahead of the visit to league leaders City, according to The Sun, despite his lacklustre form in recent weeks.Rangnick is said to be hopeful that a week-long rest will have revitalised and energised his main attacking threat, who has notched just one goal in his last 10 games.Ronaldo recently suffered his longest goal drought since the 2008/09 season - his first season at Real Madrid - before netting a stunning long-range strike against Brighton & Hove Albion.Ronaldo, 37, made his fifth start in just 15 days last Saturday as the Red Devils were held to a goalless draw by Watford.The Portuguese veteran missed a host of chances as he has uncharacteristically done over the past month.Yet Rangnick will have to stick with the Champions League all-time top goal-scorer due to a lack of other options up-front.Marcus Rashford’s confidence is at an all-time low in an attacking sense, having struggled to make an impact all season.Do you think Cristiano Ronaldo is finished as a player? Let us know in the comments section.Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news?Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star football email newsletter!From the latest transfer news to the agenda-setting stories, get it all in your email inbox - don't miss a thing.It only takes a matter of seconds.Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit 'subscribe'.And that's it, job done.

Denis Ivanov, the Ukrainian producer whose credits include films with Oleg Sentsov and Sergei Loznitsa, has penned an open letter while fighting on the front line of the war backing the proposed boycott of Russian cinema. Read it in full below.

Strictly Come Dancing pro Nikita Kuzmin has opened up on the agony of being separated from his grandma who lives in Ukraine. During an appearance on ITV’s morning show Lorraine, Nikita described watching the conflict unfold as “absolutely heartbreaking”, as he went on to share how he is in contact with his grandma “all the time.” The 23 year old, who moved from Ukraine to Italy with his family when he was nine years old, explained: “Luckily, we still have a connection to her so we are video calling her all the time.” Nikita, who made his debut on Strictly Come Dancing last year, went on to share how terrifying it is to hear gunshots and explosions in the background as he fears for her safety.

Sam and Billie Faiers have shared their dismay at being turned away from a high-end London restaurant, after turning up 20 minutes late for their reservation. The pair had been in London with their mum Suzie to celebrate her 53rd birthday, and booked a table at the upmarket sushi eatery Sexy Fish in advance.

Coronation Street character names from gravestones, according to show legend Bill Roache. The actor, who has portrayed Ken Barlow on the ITV soap since the very first episode on December 9, 1960, has revealed the show’s creator used to walk around cemeteries looking for name inspiration for his now-famous characters.He said: “I remember him telling me when he needed family names he used to walk around the graveyards to get the names from there.“But he was always bubbling over with ideas and energy.