The UK’s first ever reality TV show stranded people on a remote island for an entire year January 5, 2026 25 years ago the UK’s first ever fish-out-of-water reality TV show launched. Castaway 2000 stranded dozens of people on a remote Scottish island – its astonishing scope inspired shows like Big Brother, finds Adam Bloodworth. Photos by Simon Roberts It was a sunny autumn day in 1998 when TV producer Chris Kelly arrived at the [...]
The 13 unmissable TV shows to watch in 2026, from Industry to Bridgerton January 2, 2026 It’s set to be another blockbuster year for TV shows in 2026, with the return of much-loved franchises like Bridgerton and Industry, as well as a range of new launches, including – for the young and perpetually online – Ryan Murphy’s The Beauty, a thrilling-sounding look at “ozempic culture,” and the return of Dawn French [...]
The best new films to catch in 2026, from Toy Story to Peaky Blinders January 1, 2026 New installations of classic franchises and brand new gambits from the likes of Christopher Nolan, there is a bumper set of new films lined up for cinematic release in 2026. Here are some of the new releases not to miss. Toy Story 5 It’s been over 20 years since Woody captured the hearts of a [...]
Dry January 2026: 7 of the best alcohol free events in London December 31, 2025 Whether you’re going totally alcohol free, trying a ‘damp January’ by moderating your intake or purely interested in the latest initiatives to do with sobriety, here are five interesting-sounding activities to try out this Dry January. Dry January events to book now CBD cocktails at The Alchemist Alchemist bars around the UK will be partnering [...]
The best London theatre 2026 from musicals to West End transfers December 30, 2025 One of the great joys of living in London is the abundance of incredible theatre that exists on your doorstep – if you’re not taking advantage, why are you paying the London tax? Here’s a list of the London theatre 2026 we’re most looking forward to, from the biggest blockbuster musicals to the most hotly [...]
London exhibitions 2026: From Tracey Emin to Anish Kapoor December 29, 2025 While the political and economic outlook for next year may appear as bleak as the one that preceded it, we can at least take some solace from a packed cultural calendar. London’s galleries are packed with exhibitions that promise to give art lovers a boost, from the biggest retrospective of Tracey Emin in decades to [...]
The Italy holiday taking in amazing skiing and a lesser-visited city December 27, 2025 THE WEEKEND South Tyrol offers the ideal low-key winter getaway. Nestled amidst the visually spectacular Dolomites, the destination offers a unique blend of cultures. In the low-lying towns, traditional Italian arcades meet onion-domed church towers reminiscent of Bavaria (both German and Italian are spoken here and the culture blends elements of both countries). After a [...]
Best of 2025: Mass hallucinations – how I caught an AI reporter December 26, 2025 As we tick off the final days of 2025, we’re rounding up some of our favourite features of the year. Here we present City AM Life&Style Editor Steve Dinneen’s award-nominated tale about the threat AI poses to journalism. The ‘customer’ in the fried chicken shop didn’t touch his meal. Instead, he photographed the kitchen door’s [...]
Here are the biggest, best cultural moments of 2025 December 25, 2025 The year that was 2025 will be remembered as the 365 days in which Taylor got hitched, Trump clashed with Musk and Celebrity Traitors captured the nation. Here are the nine defining cultural moments of 2025. Cultural moments of 2025: Britpop’s back, baby! Can anything top the capitalist monolith of the Oasis reunion this summer [...]
Could D&D give a shot in the arm to London’s hospitality sector? December 24, 2025 We visited a D&D cafe transforming nightlife in an unloved corner of Elephant and Castle. Can Matt Kenyon slay the goblins facing hospitality? Burrowed within an almost cartoonishly dodgy corner of Elephant and Castle is a nerd’s nirvana. Finance bros sweep in from the Square Mile to swap gilets for broadswords and elven ears. I [...]