Jon Batiste to make his big scree acting debut in musical film adaption of The Color Purple

Russia.Although Britain had been previously reducing its nuclear weapons, the Government decided to increase its stockpile by 40 per cent last year, in light of growing technological threats, reports Reuters.The UK uses four Vanguard-class submarines as part of its nuclear deterrent arsenal; two are always on patrol, one is at the ready, and the other receives maintenance. The Express reports that while each sub can carry up to 40 nukes, they have been carrying considerably less than this.Most of the warheads contain 80-100 kilotons, making them around six times more powerful than the “Little Boy” atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.The news comes ahead of Russia's Victory Day celebrations which marks the Soviet's victory over the Germans in WWII and the end of the war.It's been widely speculated the Russian despot might use the patriotic anniversary to send a doomsday message to the West as his threats of war and use of nuclear weapons increased.Since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Putin has threatened NATO and its allies with war if they send troops into Ukraine and the despot has increasingly threatened NATO with war as the West rallies around Ukraine.Already, Russian officials have confirmed Putin will showcase his 'doomsday' plane as part of the Victory Day military parade.The aircraft, which will allow the tyrant to continue to operate in the event of nuclear war, will be part of an air display along with eight Mig-29 fighter jets which will form the letter Z - the symbol of support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine - over the Red Square.Metro reports Putin might use the Russian national holiday as a propaganda opportunity to tell Russians how and why the war in Ukraine has been a successful.

Red Bull star Sergio Perez has slammed the state of the track in Miami ahead of the inaugural Grand Prix later this evening.Throughout practice and qualifying, drivers have been complaining about a lack of grip when they stray off the rubbered-in racing line, leading Perez to label the surface "a joke", and there are serious concerns that the track isn't up to usual Formula 1 standards."I think most importantly the surface is a joke," the Mexican driver said on Saturday. "Tomorrow the racing is going be difficult.

F1 fans have slammed the design of the Miami Grand Prix circuit and compared its bizarre fake dock to graphics from the World of Warcraft video game. The Miami International Autodrome is situated within the Hard Rock Stadium complex, not the city's glamorous beachfront, which meant track designers had to get creative with the look and feel of the circuit. To counter the lack of sea views, race organisers came up with the genius plan to construct a fake marina on the track - complete with parked yachts and fake water.

Actor Dennis Waterman has died at the age of 74, with the sad news being announced in a statement. It read: "We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved Dennis passed away very peacefully at his home in Spain." Dennis was renowned for his roles in Minder, The Sweeney and New Tricks, and he is reported to have died with his wife by his side. Get exclusive celebrity stories and fabulous photoshoots straight to your inbox with OK!'s daily newsletter The actor was married three times - to Penny Dixon from 1967 until 1976, Patricia Maynard for ten years from 1977 and Rula Lenska, from 1987 until 1998.

Stacey Solomon shared how she’s ‘nervous and proud’ ahead of her appearance at the BAFTA TV Awards alongside Joe Swash.The TV star, 32, posed alongside her fiancé, 40, in a gorgeous white jumpsuit as she headed off the the television awards ceremony, where she is nominated for her work on the BBC One show Sort Out Your Life. Stacey grinned in a long bright white beaded jumpsuit, while Joe meanwhile looked smart in traditional black tie as she expressed how excited she was about the upcoming ceremony. In the caption, Stacey wrote: “Here we go… Off to the Baftas with my best friend.

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly won best Entertainment Programme for Saturday Night Takeaway at the 2022 BAFTA TV Awards on Sunday 8 May. As the news was announced Ant, 46, sweetly kissed wife Anne-Marie Corbett, who he married in 2021 and was supporting him in the audience.The I'm A Celebrity hosts went up against An Audience with Adele, Life & Rhymes and Strictly Come Dancing in the coveted category.

Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan commanded attention in a dramatic pink ball gown as she attended the 2022 BAFTA TV Awards on Sunday at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Despite not being nominated for an award, the 35 year old actress expertly worked the red carpet in her eye-catching dress, which featured three huge bows around the bust and shoulder.The gown, which was designed by Italian luxury fashion house, Valentino, was cinched in at the waist before it puffed out and flowed to the floor.

Harry and Meghan - even typing those two names make my fingers weep.The best comparison I can make to this loathsome couple is to a wasp: pointless, irritating, and packing a nasty sting.We certainly saw Meghan's sting during her speech at the Invictus Games when she jibed about "service" - speaking of the couple's commitment to the cause that supports injured veterans, taking a dig at the Queen after Harry and Meghan renounced their royal duties.We've even seen the tail end of Harry's venom during his recent NBC interview with Hoda Kotb in which he refuses to speak about his father and brother.I have written many columns about this pair, the first reacting to their decision to leave the UK in pursuit of privacy.Yet somehow they find themselves at the centre of everything.Whether that's a world exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey, a $100m Netflix deal, Spotify podcast, Apple TV+ content, James Corden's Late Late Show, taking to the stage at the Invictus Games, and now a world exclusive chat with NBC - claiming everything they've done is tantamount to "service."No, Meghan, all we see is self-service and bullsh*t.Anyone who can't see by now that this incessant PR machine that's been orchestrated by the Sussexes isn't for one thing and one thing only: fame and money, is an idiot.Meghan has been desperate for this level of attention and finally it's all coming to fruition, but at the expense of a monarch who's celebrating 70 years of true service - something Harry and Meghan should become more familiar with.Instead, these brats are happy to overshadow the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with the filming of their new $multi-million Netflix show and Harry's looming autobiography that needs to sell copies.Rather than committing to

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music CriticThe top of the bill at the forthcoming Pilgrimage Festival in Tennessee looks a little like a reprise of the recent Grammy Awards telecast, with Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile and Grammy king Jon Batiste all set to perform this September.From there, the festival takes a more decided skew toward Americana than it has in past years, although it also leans into other genres. The Avett Brothers are also among the headliners, on a lineup that includes Lake Street Dive, Celisse, Elle King, Dawes, Adia Victoria, Marty Stuart, Molly Tuttle, Butch Walker and Trampled by Turtles.Pilgrimage takes place Sept.

Gallery: From SKINNING SQUIRRELS to BALLET DANCING. . . You'll never believe the skills these actors learned for their movies (BANG Showbiz)Blitz Bazawule, the filmmaker behind Beyonce's 'Black Is King', will direct the fresh take on the musical.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaNia DaCosta will direct the feature film adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ best-selling novel “The Water Dancer.” The film is being backed by Metro Goldwyn Mayer and will be produced by Maceo-Lyn, Brad Pitt’s Plan B and Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films.DaCosta directed last year’s horror hit “Candyman” and is also stepping into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with her next feature, the upcoming “The Marvels.” Her first film, “Little Woods,” starred Tessa Thompson and Lily James and premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2018 before getting released theatrically by Neon.“The Water Dancer” is a surrealist story that unfolds in the pre–Civil War South. It follows Hiram Walker, born into slavery, who lost his mother as a child and over time loses all memory of her.

Nia DaCosta (Candyman) has been tapped to direct an adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ 2019 debut novel The Water Dancer for MGM, Plan B, Harpo Films and Maceo-Lyn.

Piers Morgan, 57, was getting on swimmingly with Bill Maher, 66, until the American comedian and political commentator cheekily nicknamed the Queen “the old bag” while the pair discussed the British royal family.The harsh remark was uttered during Piers’ appearance on Bill’s Club Random podcast, which was released today.While discussing his new role on TalkTV with Bill, Piers reflected on his explosive exit from Good Morning Britain, prompted by backlash over his decision to publicly berate Meghan Markle’s claims about the royals being “racist” during her interview with Oprah Winfrey.Sharing his own views on the controversy, Bill said: “Meghan and Harry, they go on Oprah, which itself… why do you need to do that?“Okay, so the royal family is accused of racism.“I’m sure the old bag’s got to be 100, I mean, she grew up in…”Piers then promptly cut across Bill to tell him off for his throwaway comment about the Queen.He warned: “Can you not call her majesty ‘the old bag’?”“Really?” Bill exclaimed in response.Piers then explained his objection to the phrase, adding: “I’ve got to have some limits for our country. “I don’t mind you trashing our television, that’s fair enough, because you’re right about a lot of that, but the Queen has been on that throne for 70 years.“And actually, I would say, of all leaders of any kind in the world, probably, despite everything, remains the most respected leader of all in the world.”Bill hit back: “Okay, f**k me!”Piers continued: “So you can’t call her offensive names in my presence without me calling you out on it.”“Okay, fine,” Bill conceded.Aside from their clash over Queen Elizabeth II, Piers seemed to enjoy talking to Bill about his controversial departure from GMB.Bill began by praising

New details have emerged about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit with the royals…

Meghan Markle has come under fire in recent years after stepping down as a senior working royal but Danni Menzies believes she's inspirational.The Duchess of Sussex has previously spoken out on issues surrounding politics, sexism and racism, which some people have not taken too well.However, others have praised the former Suits actress for using her platform to raise awareness of issues she has experienced in the past. Last year, she and her husband Prince Harry sent shockwaves around the world when they claimed an unknown member of The Royal Family made racial comments about her son, Archie-Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

took home five Grammys Awards earlier this month, will make his big-screen acting debut in the upcoming musical remake of “The Color Purple.”The 35-year-old musician — who also serves as musical director and bandleader for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” — is set to play Grady, the husband of sexy blues singer Shug Avery, a role previously announced will be filled by 51-year-old Taraji P. Henson (“Hidden Figures,” “Empire”).

Hot off his five Grammy wins including Album of the Year this month, Oscar winner Jon Batiste has joined the remake of The Color Purple, whose producers include Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey and Quincy Jones.

Angelique Jackson After dominating the Grammy Awards with five wins, including album of the year, Jon Batiste is set to conquer a new medium — acting. The musician has joined the cast of “The Color Purple,” directed by Blitz Bazawule, for his feature acting debut.Batiste is set to portray Grady, husband to Shug Avery (played by Taraji P. Henson).

William and Kate's decision to miss out on a much needed catch up with Harry and Meghan during their secret visit to the UK is 'significant', a royal expert has claimed.

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav brought out the big guns during his address to the new company at its first global town hall for employees Thursday.The newly merged company brought out its most famous employee, Oprah Winfrey, to moderate the event and to help introduce Zaslav to Hollywood.Winfrey is a longtime supporter of the media mogul, who has championed the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) — a cable channel jointly jointed by Warner Bros. Discovery and Harpo Studio — alongside her since its launch in 2011.

HE’S inspired millions to take cold showers and plunge into ice baths for the good of their health, his A-list fans include Oprah Winfrey and Orlando Bloom and he’s about to be played by Ralph Fiennes in a film about his life. Now Wim Hof is fronting his own celebrity survival series, Freeze the Fear, on BBC1 - thanks to Holly Willoughby.