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Dame Maggie Smith Dies at 89, Leaving a Legacy of Cinematic and Stage Brilliance

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Dame Maggie Smith Dies at 89, Leaving a Legacy of Cinematic and Stage Brilliance

Dame Maggie Smith, the revered actress known for her iconic roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, has passed away at the age of 89. Her family confirmed she died peacefully in a hospital, surrounded by friends and loved ones.

A legendary figure in British theatre and film, Dame Maggie’s career spanned over seven decades. She won two Academy Awards: one for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1970 and another for California Suite in 1979. Additionally, she garnered four other Oscar nominations and received eight BAFTA awards, solidifying her status as one of the most talented actresses of her generation.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer led the tributes, calling her a “national treasure,” whose “great talent” will be remembered and cherished by generations to come.

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In the Harry Potter films, she famously portrayed Professor Minerva McGonagall, the strict yet beloved teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She also dazzled audiences in Downton Abbey, playing the sharp-tongued Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, whose wit and charm captivated viewers through the show’s six seasons.

Her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, shared a heartfelt statement: “We are devastated to announce the passing of our extraordinary mother. She was an intensely private person and was surrounded by her family during her final moments.”

The family extended their gratitude to the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital staff for their exceptional care and requested privacy during this time of mourning.

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Dame Maggie leaves behind two sons and five grandchildren, as well as an indelible mark on the world of entertainment.

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Coldplay Set to Break Taylor Swift’s Wembley Record with 10-Night Run

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Coldplay Set to Break Taylor Swift's Wembley Record with 10-Night Run

Coldplay is set to make history by performing 10 nights at London’s Wembley Stadium next summer, surpassing the record previously held by Taylor Swift and Take That. Originally planning a six-night stint in August 2025, the band added four more shows in September due to overwhelming demand during a fan-only presale.

General ticket sales begin on Friday, 27 September, with prices starting at £20. Notably, Coldplay has opted not to use Ticketmaster’s controversial dynamic pricing model, ensuring ticket prices remain fixed at the advertised rate.

The tour supports the band’s forthcoming 10th album Moon Music, slated for release on 4 October. In addition to Wembley, Coldplay will perform two nights at Hull’s Craven Park Stadium, with 50% of tickets reserved for local fans.

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The 12 concerts will be Coldplay’s only European dates in 2025, and 10% of the proceeds will go to the Music Venue Trust, supporting grassroots music venues across the UK.

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Naomi Campbell Banned from Charity Work Following Misuse of Funds

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Naomi Campbell Banned from Charity Work Following Misuse of Funds

Supermodel Naomi Campbell has been banned from serving as a charity trustee for five years following an investigation by the Charity Commission, which revealed misuse of funds from her charity, Fashion for Relief. The inquiry found that donations meant for charitable causes were instead spent on luxury hotels, spa treatments, cigarettes, and security for Campbell and others.

The watchdog’s investigation uncovered that only 8.5% of the charity’s funds were being passed on to charitable causes, with large sums being used for personal and unauthorized payments. Two other trustees, Bianka Hellmich and Veronica Chou, were also implicated and received bans of nine years and four years, respectively.

The inquiry revealed that unauthorized payments totaling £290,000 were made to Hellmich for consultancy services, breaching the charity’s rules. Investigators have since recovered nearly £345,000 and secured the protection of an additional £98,000, which has been redirected to two other charities: Save the Children Fund and the Mayor’s Fund for London.

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Fashion for Relief was removed from the register of charities in March 2024, following complaints from both Save the Children and the Mayor’s Fund regarding mismanagement of funds raised through events.

This scandal marks a significant fall from grace for the once-prominent charity, with the commission’s actions aimed at holding trustees accountable for their failure to safeguard the charity’s assets.

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Hip Hop Icon Fatman Scoop Dies of Heart Disease, Medics Confirm

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Hip Hop Icon Fatman Scoop Dies of Heart Disease, Medics Confirm

US authorities have confirmed that rapper and hip hop star Fatman Scoop, real name Isaac Freeman III, died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The 56-year-old collapsed on stage during a show in Connecticut in August and passed away later in the hospital.

Fatman Scoop was best known for his chart-topping hit Be Faithful, which reached number one in the UK in 2003, and for his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother in 2015. Throughout his career, he collaborated with high-profile artists such as Timbaland and David Guetta, solidifying his influence in the hip hop scene.

In a heartfelt statement, his family described him as a “father, brother, uncle, and friend,” adding that he was “the laughter in our lives” and a constant source of support. His agency, MN2S, also paid tribute, noting that “Scoop’s legacy will live on through his timeless music” and calling him one of New York’s most influential hip hop figures of the 1990s.

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Fans around the world continue to mourn the loss of this beloved artist, whose infectious energy and iconic voice made a lasting impact on the music industry.

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