NEWS

Convicted Murderer Colin Howell (Image: Pacemaker Press) A new BBC documentary series is set to revisit one of Northern Ireland’s most disturbing murder cases, revealing chilling police recordings that have never before been broadcast and shedding fresh light on crimes that went undiscovered for almost two decades. Confessions Of A Killer tells the story of dentist Colin Howell, who on 29 January 2009 walked into a police station in Coleraine, County Londonderry, and confesse

Colin Howell A new BBC documentary series will bring to light chilling, never-before-broadcast police recordings from one of Northern Ireland’s most disturbing murder cases, shedding fresh insight into crimes that remained hidden for almost two decades. Confessions Of A Killer tells the story of dentist Colin Howell, who on 29 January 2009 walked into a police station in Coleraine, County Londonderry, and confessed to murdering his wife, Lesley Howell, and his former lover H

Finalist in BBC NI’s House Of The Year, Knots Landing, Ballymena Images: BBC NI / Elyse Kennedy A striking detached new build near Ballymena has been named the second home to secure a coveted place in the House Of The Year final, placing the property firmly in the national spotlight. Knots Landing, located outside Ballymena, impressed judges in the current BBC Northern Ireland series, earning its place among the five standout homes competing for the prestigious title. Celebra

Ant & Dec, hosts of ITV’s Limitless Win An associate principal from Ballymena is set to take centre stage on national television this weekend as David Radcliffe of Gracehill Primary School appears on the latest series of Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win, ITV’s flagship primetime quiz show. Hosted by Britain’s best-loved presenting duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, the hit entertainment format returns for a fifth series, promising higher stakes, bigger risks and the chance for c

BBC Radio Ulster’s much-loved choral celebration, BBC Sing!, is set to return in 2026 with a brand-new four-part series recorded at venues across Northern Ireland. The programme, which brings together community choirs from right across the region, will feature four special recording events taking place in Ballymena, Newry, Omagh and Newtownabbey . Each event will see a local BBC community choir take centre stage, celebrating the power of collective singing and the unique spir

Kirsty Ward, the Irish woman murdered by her partner while on holiday in Spain The parents of Kirsty Ward, the Irish woman murdered by her partner while on holiday in Spain, will speak publicly tonight about the warning signs they now recognise, the sentence imposed on her killer, and the devastating impact of her death on their family. In an interview to be broadcast on RTÉ’s Prime Time this evening (Thursday 8 January), Kirsty’s parents, Jackie and John , recount the event

The Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty Patrick Kielty is set to lead a spectacular live countdown into 2026 as The Late Late Show rounds off 2025 with a star-studded New Year’s Eve special, packed with music, laughter and reflection. Broadcast live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, the much-loved annual programme promises an unforgettable night of entertainment, combining standout musical performances, surprise collaborations and lively studio conversations — before culminating in a

UK television audiences continued to make their voices heard in 2025, with Ofcom receiving almost 50,000 complaints about broadcast and on-demand content over the course of the year, according to newly published figures from the media regulator. The complaints related to more than 8,000 television, radio and on-demand programmes, a level of engagement which Ofcom said demonstrates how strongly viewers and listeners feel about the standards of the content they consume. “Every

Grammy Award-winning violinist Nicola Benedetti Grammy Award-winning violinist Nicola Benedetti has made a highly anticipated return to Belfast, marking her first solo tour in a decade with a special performance at the Ulster Hall — now set to reach audiences across the UK and Ireland through a major Sky Arts broadcast. The concert, filmed last week at the iconic Belfast venue, will air as Nicola Benedetti & Friends on Monday, 29 December at 7.30pm on Sky Arts , with the pro

BBC Sport NI’s Stephen Watson, left, presents Rory McIlroy with the BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year award for 2025 Masters Champion Rory McIlroy has been named BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year for 2025 , capping a remarkable season that has already secured his place among golf’s all-time greats. The Holywood man enjoyed a year for the ages, headlined by a dramatic play-off victory at the Masters in Augusta in April. That win saw McIlroy

Malachi Cush performing some of his favourite carols and newly released music with friends at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh Acclaimed Irish singer and broadcaster Malachi Cush is set to bring the spirit of Christmas to homes across Northern Ireland next week, entertaining listeners on BBC Radio Ulster following more than a dozen sold-out performances throughout the festive season. Listeners are invited to tune in on Christmas Day at 12noon for Christmas at the Cathedral ,

Sir Cliff Richard and Dermot Murnaghan Sir Cliff Richard has revealed he has been treated for prostate cancer over the past year, speaking candidly about his diagnosis in a powerful call for a national screening programme for men. The 84-year-old music legend opened up during an exclusive interview on Good Morning Britain, where he spoke to journalist Dermot Murnaghan about his experience and the importance of early diagnosis. Sir Cliff said he was diagnosed while preparing f

(L-R) Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Jole Dommett, Maya Jama and Jonathan Ross. The Masked Singer is set to bring festive fun to viewers this Boxing Day with a glittering Christmas Special, as four famous faces take to the stage disguised in elaborate seasonal costumes. Airing at 7.30pm on Boxing Day on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player, the one-off special promises music, mystery and seasonal spectacle as celebrities perform undercover while the judging panel attempts to decipher

“Here is your host, Patrick Kielty!” The festive season is officially underway as The Late Late Show Christmas Special welcomes a host of major stars — including Hollywood icon Brendan Fraser — for a packed night of entertainment with Patrick Kielty. Irish golfing champion Shane Lowry leads the line-up after an outstanding year on the course, having helped secure Team Europe’s dramatic Ryder Cup victory and recently thrilling crowds at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai

Tienán Heffron on stage Performing at the historic St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, this week for The King’s Trust Carol Concert Celebrities, supporters and rising musical talent gathered at the historic St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, this week for The King’s Trust Carol Concert in partnership with Cunard, with 25-year-old County Antrim singer Tiernán Heffron taking to the stage alongside some of the biggest names in entertainment. The event, filled with festive readings, l

Images: Andres Poveda Photography RTÉ has confirmed one of the most eagerly awaited announcements of the festive season: the theme for The Late Late Toy Show 2025 will be The Grinch. Inspired by Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, tonight’s show promises a heartwarming blend of mischief, magic and festive joy, marking the culmination of a week of Christmas programming reveals. Families tuning in tonight will be transported to Who-ville, where the Toy Show set has been t

Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden appearing on ITV’s Lorraine Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has opened up about her decision to undergo a preventative mastectomy on her left breast, in an emotional and exclusive interview on Lorraine. The dancer, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, previously underwent a single mastectomy, chemotherapy and later entered remission. However, after pre-cancerous cells were discovered during a recent mamm

Escapes is set to close out the year with a nationwide cinematic treat, offering free preview screenings of Eternity, the new romantic fantasy from acclaimed director David Freyne, on Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 December. The film, distributed by A24, will officially be released in UK cinemas on Friday 5 December. The special previews — screening across more than 100 cinemas including Omniplex Antrim — form part of Escapes’ ongoing mission to make cinema accessible to all audience

Connor Phillips and Holly Hamilton with Pudsey BBC Children in Need’s 2025 Northern Ireland programme will shine a spotlight on inspirational young people and the projects supporting them, with Holly Hamilton and Connor Phillips joining Pudsey Bear to host this year’s special broadcast. Dedicated regional promgramme – BBC Children in Need In Northern Ireland – broadcasts Sunday 16 November at 4:05pm on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer . This year’s presenters, Holly

Jon Bon Jovi speaks to Patrick Kielty at the Late Late Show Halloween Special Rock legend Jon Bon Jovi leads a star-studded line-up for this week’s Late Late Show Halloween special, joined by broadcasting veteran Miriam O’Callaghan, sports stars Davy Fitzgerald and Donncha O’Callaghan, and comedy trio the Young Hot Guys. The Late Late Show returns this Friday (31 October) with a glittering line-up packed with music, stories, laughter and nostalgia — headlined by one of the wo