World Cup Ratings: England’s Opener With Iran Watched By Peak Of 8M On BBC While 11.5M Tune In For U.S. Vs Wales

While much of the global entertainment industry is witnessing a full-throttled return to in-person events, India’s festival circuit is experiencing a chequered re-emergence from Covid, in part due to political and funding challenges.

Yesterday’s thrilling World Cup final was watched by a peak of almost 20M viewers across the BBC and ITV as the game drew to an incredible close.

NBCUniversal (NBCU) has signed BBC Studios Global Distribution COO Maggy Chan to lead its global advertising and partnerships in the U.S., EMEA and Asia Pacific, replacing KC Sullivan, who recently became CNBC President.

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A dangerous inmate who stabbed two guards at Shotts Prison believes he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Until Saturday, it has been rarely dull watching Aberdeen under Jim Goodwin. The often outspoken boss has had the north-east club gaining plaudits for their attractive football aided by some shrewd summer recruitment in the form of Bojan Miovski and Luis 'Duk' Lopes. Even in defeat, there has been a heavyweight boxer element about them, albeit one with a big punch and glass chin.

Police Scotland have released CCTV images of a man hunted following a violent, early-hours robbery in Glasgow. A 24-year-old man was targeted on Meadowpark Street in Dennistoun at 1am on Saturday, March 26.

Motown singer Bertha Barbee McNeal has died at the age of 82.

Cameron Carter Vickers would savour a tasty reunion with old team-mate Harry Kane to further a fabulous journey which has incorporated selling sweets and juice in school.

 Alex Scott, 38, has blasted one critic on Twitter today in view of her 400,100 followers after a journalist insinuated she was a hypocrite for choosing to wear a One Love armband live on the BBC.The star wore the One Love token in support of the LGBTQ+ community, even after the England team decided to do a U-turn on wearing the armbands for the World Cup.FIFA’s decision to hold the World Cup in Qatar has caused massive controversy this year due to the country’s alleged treatment of women, migrants and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Alex made her stance clear when she wore her One Love armband live while fronting the BBC's coverage of England's opening match in the World Cup on Monday, following the announcement that the Three Lions wouldn’t be making a statement during Qatar’s tournament. Journalist Kelvin MacKenzie took to Twitter today to accuse Alex of double standards over her defiant move. He wrote: “BBC commentator @AlexScott wanted to appear defiant by wearing the One Love armband in Qatar. READ MORE: “But on @GBNEWS @danwootton produced a photo showing her enjoying herself a few years ago in Dubai where being gay is illegal. “What no armband! Well, there weren't any BBC cameras,” he added in the thinly-veiled dig.“Is that the strongest thing you have to try and take me down?” Alex fired back with a laughing emoji. “If you go through my Instagram and Twitter I’ve not removed or trying to hide anything… “I’ve also travelled to Iraq, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda the list is all there for you to see,” she added with a GIF of Kamala Harris looking unimpressed.A number of Alex’s fans and followers also took to the comments section to defend her, with Shane writing: “Bizarre that you are getting abuse for doing what the

Alex Scott has been praised by football fans across the world after defying FIFA's rules and wearing a One Love armband during a live broadcast.

Fern Britton, 65, is one of many who have weighed in on the controversy about wearing the OneLove armband at the World Cup in Qatar.The accessory is a gesture of solidarity within the LGBT community, in a country where homosexuality is punishable.Same-sex sexual activity is prohibited under the Penal Code 2004, which criminalises acts of 'sodomy' and 'sexual intercourse' between people of the same sex.For months, captains have said they would wear the band and were willing to pay a fine as a punishment if it came their way.However, in a turn of events, the likes of England, Wales, Belgium, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands today announced they had decided to backdown as the move could result in them not being able to play.The current FIFA equipment rules state that: "At FIFA tournaments, match staff must wear official clothing and equipment provided by FIFA, including FIFA event badges specified and provided by FIFA."Taking to Twitter, Fern voiced her thoughts on the matter.The author shared an article which had the headline, 'England and Wales decide not to wear OneLove armband at World Cup after FIFA threat'.In view of her 126,000 followers, she wrote: "Fear where there should be none."Many of her fans also weighed in on the controversy on her post.Jess Rocks wrote: "No there shouldn’t be, but the reality is this is the Middle East we are talking about... What did they expect Fern?"Mr Neale commented: "We should have boycotted the whole thing!"Pedro added: "Shame."The FA statement on Monday morning read: "FIFA has been very clear that it will impose sporting sanctions if our captains wear the armbands on the field of play.

Alex Scott, 38, blasted her critics on Twitter today in view of her 400,100 followers after she became fed up with comments about her role in covering the 2022 World Cup.The huge footballing event has caused massive controversy this year due to Qatar’s harsh treatment of women, migrants and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Yesterday, journalist Sophie Corcoran accused Alex of hypocrisy over her role in the Qatar World Cup.She tweeted: “Not too long ago Alex Scott was trying to accuse the England women’s team of structural racism and downplayed their victory due to there being too many white players. “Now she’s in Qatar - a country where gays, women and migrants have no rights.Talk about doing a 180.”Alex retaliated this morning, as many fans also rushed to defend the One Show favourite. She penned: “You are getting boring now with your tweets about me...  “My documentary The Future of the Woman’s Game touches on so many subjects ranging from media rights, diversity, maternity rights and highlights the growth of the game. “So stop with the lies and do one…” she added defiantly. Express.co.uk have contacted Alex and Sophie for further comment. BBC pundit Alex recently revealed her reasons for choosing not to boycott the World Cup.Speaking on BBC Sport ahead of the opening match between Qatar and Ecuador, she explained she believes boycotting would have actually been the “easy option”.She said: “I totally understand their reasons as well as a whole heap of fans from the LGBTQ+ community around the world not wanting to.“And once again we reference Gianni Infantino, you are not gay, you will not understand travelling to a country where you are fearing for your life about your preference of who you choose to love.”She

After being overshadowed by the BBC’s focus on the human rights issues that have been surrounding the World Cup 2022, yesterday’s opener between hosts Qatar and Ecuador kicked off with a hefty peak of 8M viewers.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham has admitted England could drop the 'OneLove' armband amid risks Harry Kane could be booked in the tunnel before their World Cup opener.

Motherwell star Matt Penney reckons England's "phenomenal individuals" have what it takes to lift the World Cup in Qatar.

“Like, we've seen in the past of some presenters what's happened.Stalking… All of that stuff.“So, all of that anxiety goes through my head, like, I want to just be safe, like I’m just going to work.”Alex had previously addressed the mental health struggles she had faced throughout her life and how at one point she even turned to alcohol.Having had a successful career playing for the Arsenal Women's Team, the retired football star turned to presenting, which came with horrifying trolling on social media and led her to seek therapy.In a candid admission, the sports star said she turned to drink and added no one had any "idea what [she] went through".Alex spoke out in an interview earlier this year while promoting her book How (Not) To Be Strong.She said: "I’ve lived my whole life putting on an act, and there's a lot of things in it that people will have no idea that I went through."I'm at a stage in my life where I just want some freedom, and I've managed to feel like it's a time where I can [be open.]"I think everyone will be shocked at the stories in the book", she told Time Out London.Alex also candidly opened up about her drinking habit that formed due to serious online abuse.Alex said: “When I retired, getting trolled, I found that I was turning to drink to try and hide everything, hide what I was feeling."Looking at my daily life, many would wonder how I could be ‘depressed’. But mental illness doesn’t work like that."It’s so easy to think there are people worse off than us and we have no right to feel sorry for ourselves.

The One Show presenter Alex Scott, 38, revealed she had just finished rehearsing for tomorrow’s Children in Need special on BBC One when she found herself locked out of her dressing room.The former footballer shared updates with her 1.7 million Instagram followers as she waited to be rescued.  “We have just finished rehearsals for tomorrow’s Children in Need,” Alex explained. “And now I’m sat outside my dressing room, because I’m locked out.“My key don’t work,” she continued.

Now that the Scottish Premiership action is over, all eyes turn to Qatar with the World Cup kick-off less than a week away.