Eric Dane, widely recognised for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, has died at the age of 53, less than a year after publicly sharing his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Dane was celebrated for portraying Dr Mark Sloan — affectionately known to fans as “Dr McSteamy” — on Grey’s Anatomy, as well as family patriarch Cal Jacobs in Euphoria.

The California-born actor revealed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025 and spent his final months championing awareness and support for those living with the condition, the most common form of motor neurone disease (MND).

In a statement, his family confirmed he passed away on Thursday afternoon following what they described as a courageous battle with the illness.

Dane is survived by his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, Billie and Georgia. His loved ones shared that he spent his final days surrounded by close friends and family.

“He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always,” the statement read, adding that he remained grateful for the support of fans throughout his career.

Born in San Francisco in 1972, Dane began his television journey with an appearance in The Wonder Years in 1993. He went on to portray Jason Dean in Charmed and Captain Tom Chandler in The Last Ship, while also appearing in films including Marley & Me, Valentine’s Day, and Burlesque.

Following news of his passing, tributes from colleagues quickly emerged. Patrick Dempsey, who starred alongside him on Grey’s Anatomy, remembered Dane as “a joy to work with,” praising both his humour and his efforts to raise awareness about ALS.

Fellow cast members also paid tribute. Kim Raver recalled his playful wit and impeccable comedic timing on set, while Kevin McKidd shared a simple message of remembrance online.

In his final months, Dane channelled his platform toward advancing public understanding of ALS, leaving behind not only a legacy of memorable performances but also a meaningful contribution to ongoing advocacy efforts.

Electronic artist Look Mum No Computer has been selected to represent the United Kingdom at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna.

The solo performer — real name Sam Battle — is known for blending music with technology, building unconventional instruments and composing electronic soundscapes using devices such as modified Furby toys and Game Boys.

Battle first emerged on the music scene in 2014 as the frontman of indie rock band Zibra, which performed at Glastonbury Festival in 2015. Since then, he has focused on his solo project, gaining global attention for his inventive approach to sound creation.

“I find it completely bonkers to be jumping on this wonderful and wild journey,” he said after the announcement.

“A lifelong Eurovision fan, I love the magical joy it brings to millions of people every year. Getting to join that legacy and fly the flag for the UK is an absolute honour.”

Based in Kent, the artist has built a strong online presence, amassing around 1.4 million followers across his social media platforms, including his YouTube channel.

His work has drawn widespread interest for its creativity, featuring inventions such as Furby-powered organs, synthesiser bicycles and even flame-throwing keyboards.

“I’ve spent years creating, writing and producing my own visions from scratch,” he said. “I’ll be bringing every ounce of my creativity to the stage — I hope Eurovision is ready to get synthesised.”

Pop superstar Taylor Swift has asked the US government to prevent a bedding company from trademarking the phrase “Swift Home,” arguing that it could mislead consumers into thinking she has endorsed the brand.

Swift’s legal representatives contend that New York-based company Cathay Home has styled the word “Swift” in a way that closely resembles the singer’s trademarked cursive signature.

Cathay Home, which sells bedding products through major retailers, had applied to register the “Swift Home” trademark for use on its home goods. In response, Swift — through her rights management entity — filed an appeal with the US Patent and Trademark Office on Wednesday.

In the filing, her legal team argued that the proposed trademark creates a “false association” with the artist, potentially leading consumers to believe she has endorsed the company’s products.

They further stated that the move appeared intended to leverage Swift’s “goodwill and recognition” to enhance the brand’s market appeal.

According to the documents, Swift already holds federal trademarks covering the use of her name and signature across a wide range of goods — including bedding, clothing and music-related merchandise.

Over the course of her career, Swift has secured more than 300 trademarks globally, encompassing her name, initials, album titles and even select lyrics — a reflection of her expansive commercial footprint.

The singer-songwriter’s business influence has grown alongside her creative success. With a net worth estimated at well above $1bn (£730m), boosted by record-breaking global tours, Swift continues to play an active role in protecting the commercial use of her brand identity.