English actor Tim Curry, best known for his iconic portrayal of Dr Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has died aged 80.

Curry first played the flamboyant character on stage before reprising the role in the 1975 film adaptation. The movie went on to become a cult classic and cemented Curry’s place in popular culture.

He later became known to a new generation of audiences for playing the terrifying clown Pennywise in the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King’s It.

Curry’s other notable film roles included Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island, as well as appearances in Annie, The Hunt for Red October, Home Alone 2 and Scary Movie 2.

He also enjoyed a successful theatre career and was nominated for three Tony Awards for his work on Broadway.

Born in Warrington, England, in 1946, Curry began his professional acting career after university when he joined the original London production of the groundbreaking rock musical Hair in 1968.

Five years later, fellow Hair cast member Richard O’Brien invited Curry to audition for a new musical he was writing.

Curry won the role of Dr Frank-N-Furter, the flamboyant and eccentric scientist at the centre of The Rocky Horror Show.

He first performed the character in 1973 at the upstairs theatre of London’s Royal Court, where his distinctive performance helped establish the role that would define much of his career.

His portrayal combined theatricality, humour and irreverence, making Frank-N-Furter one of cinema’s most memorable characters.

Curry went on to build a diverse career across film, television and theatre, becoming known for his ability to move effortlessly between comedy, horror, drama and musical performance.

His death marks the passing of an actor whose most famous performances remained enduring fixtures of popular culture for generations.

Dolly Parton, one of the most celebrated figures in country music, has died aged 80.

Parton leaves behind a remarkable seven-decade career in which she won 10 Grammy Awards, sold more than 100 million records worldwide and wrote more than 3,000 songs.

Although she became famous as a singer and performer, Parton always regarded herself primarily as a songwriter. She once described songwriting as her way of expressing herself and called it her “therapy”.

Beyond music, Parton was also a successful businesswoman who took control of her career with a combination of determination, sharp humour and Southern charm.

Born Dolly Rebecca Parton in 1946, she was the fourth of 12 children in a poor farming family in Tennessee. The family lived in a one-bedroom cabin, while her father, Robert Lee Parton, worked as a tobacco farmer.

Music was part of Parton’s childhood. Her mother, Avie Lee, regularly sang folk songs, while an aunt played guitar and wrote songs. Her uncle, Bill Owens, also accompanied Parton on guitar during some of her earliest performances.

Parton began singing at her local church at the age of six, where her grandfather was the pastor. By her teenage years, she was already appearing on local television.

In 1959, at just 13, she performed with Uncle Bill at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, one of the most important stages in country music. She was introduced by country music star Johnny Cash.

Parton’s career continued to grow over the following decades as she established herself as a prolific songwriter, recording artist, actress and entrepreneur. Her distinctive voice, songwriting and flamboyant stage style made her one of the most recognisable entertainers in the world.

In later years, Parton occasionally postponed or cancelled performances while receiving medical treatment.

In May 2026, she postponed an upcoming Las Vegas residency while being treated for kidney stones. At the time, she joked about needing to recover before returning to the stage.

“I can’t be dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars and such on 5-inch heels,” she said in a video message, adding that she would also have to cope with her “heavy rhinestone outfits, the big hair” and her “big… uh, personality”.

Parton’s death marks the end of an extraordinary career that took her from a one-bedroom cabin in rural Tennessee to the pinnacle of global music and entertainment.

Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, is set to perform two concerts in St Petersburg, Russia, in October, becoming the highest-profile Western music star to stage shows in the country since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine four years ago.

The concerts will take place at the 70,000-capacity Gazprom Arena. Tickets sold out within hours of being announced on Monday, with prices ranging from 9,000 roubles (£78) to 160,000 roubles (£1,394).

The performances come as Ye seeks to rebuild his public image after several years of controversy over antisemitic and pro-Nazi comments.

In January, the rapper issued an apology for his remarks, attributing his behaviour to a brain injury and bipolar disorder.

However, attempts to return to major international touring have faced significant opposition. Several concerts scheduled across Europe this summer were cancelled following public backlash over his past statements.

In the UK, the long-running Wireless Festival was cancelled after Ye, who had been due to headline all three nights, was refused entry to the country.

The Home Office said his presence was judged not to be “conducive to the public good”.

Shows in France, Poland, Italy and the Czech Republic were also cancelled, while concerts in Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Turkey and Albania went ahead.

The St Petersburg dates mark Ye’s most prominent return to a major international stage following the wave of cancellations and renewed scrutiny surrounding his past remarks.