Sophie Thompson

Comedian Chris McCausland wowed Strictly Come Dancing fans on Saturday (9 November), as he danced through a ‘blackout’ alongside partner, Dianne Buswell. The duo chose Karma! (We All Shine On) by John Lennon for their couple’s choice routine, which saw them mimic what it’s like for McCausland to be dancing while blind. What was a performance packed with lights and glitz quickly shut down into darkness for a few seconds, and when the lights came back up, he had his partner lifted above his head in an impressive move. Judge, Shirley Ballas, told him: “You have no fear. You come out every week with your heart on your sleeve, and you give us 100%.”

The Princess of Wales has joined her husband and King Charles for a remembrance event at the Royal Albert Hall, marking her first major public appearance since finishing chemotherapy. The Festival of Remembrance, dedicated to service men, women, and their families, saw performances by Tom Jones and the Royal Air Force band. Catherine is also expected to attend the Cenotaph for the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony today. King Charles, who is still receiving cancer treatment, will be there to lay a wreath.

Amy Dowden has shared a reflective look back at the last 365 days for her, as she continued her cancer treatment before being able to return to Strictly Come Dancing. After being partnered with JLS singer, JB Gill, she was forced to leave the show unexpectedly last week, following an “insufficiency stress fracture” - but hopes to be back before the end of the series. Sharing footage on Instagram of her journey during this time, Dowden vowed to continue “grabbing” life. She wrote: “Even until late spring I wasn’t sure I had the confidence to dance again. I just didn’t feel like me. But I’m so glad I pushed through because it’s what has made me truly happy again.”

Remembrance Sunday 2024 is being marked at London’s Cenotaph with its annual wreath-laying ceremony, ahead of a two-minute silence at 11:00 GMT.

Treasury secretary Darren Jones has said Labour is “unlikely” to accept Nigel Farage’s offer of acting as an interlocutor between the UK and the US. The Reform UK leader offered to help in the name of “national interest” as he has a close relationship with president-elect, Donald Trump, and insists he could strengthen ties between the countries. “My advice to Mr Farage would be he might want to concentrate his efforts on the constituents in Clacton that elected him into office, as opposed to spending his time in the United States”, Mr Jones commented, during a Sky News interview.

The Royal Family has arrived at the Cenotaph in London to lay wreaths and pay respects to those who have died in service, as part of Remembrance Day proceedings. The Princess of Wales appeared emotional from a balcony, marking one of her first public appearances since finishing chemotherapy just weeks ago. King Charles, who is still undergoing cancer treatment, is also there - however, Queen Camilla is recovering from a chest infection. They are joined by military personnel, Commonwealth ambassadors, and members of the general public watching from the sidelines, as they lead a two-minute silence across the nation.

Migrants and activists are taking to the streets of New York in protest of Donald Trump being re-elected for a belated second presidential term, after vowing the “biggest” mass deportation in history. Over 30 local groups turned out for the event, which saw marchers carrying signs which read “here to stay” and “hate never made America great”, as they gathered outside Trump Tower. Other protests around the USA took place simultaneously, highlighting Mr Trump’s previous comments surrounding topics such as womens’ and LGBTQ+ rights.

Chief of defence staff, Sir Tony Radakin, has admitted he can “confidently” say Britain would be ready to fight a full-scale war if it needed to. Appearing on Sky News with Trevor Phillips, he was quizzed on the lessons we could learn from seeing wars in the likes of Ukraine and the Middle East. “Our service men and women will always be ready to serve their nation”, he said. “The reassurance is that we do that alongside our allies... but we’re also being honest in saying we need to be even stronger in the future.”

As public spaces continue to feel unsafe for many, it's time to rethink how design can make streets and cities more welcoming for everyone, writes Sophie Thompson

Chief of the Defence staff , Sir Tony Radakin, has insisted that the military is “getting to grips” with bullying and misogyny.