Entertainment

Sylvester Stallone and Pope Francis playfully shadowboxed during a visit to the Vatican by the actor and his family. The Rocky star was received by the pontiff who told him he “grew up with [his] films”. Stallone jokingly responded “we box” and threw a few light air jabs, which the Pope then returned.

BBC presenter Nick Owen was moved to tears after learning that sharing his prostate cancer journey had a positive impact. During an interview with his BBC Midlands Today colleague Ben Godfrey to mark his return to work next week, the 75-year-old was told that more than a million people had used an online symptoms checker.

The Rolling Stones have unveiled their first album of original material since 2005, and the first since the death of drummer Charlie Watts. Hackney Diamonds features 12 tracks and will be released on 20 October. Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Sir Mick Jagger announced the album on Wednesday at an event in Hackney, where they

Actors Ian McKellen and Roger Allam are starring opposite one another in a new play, Frank & Percy. Ben Weatherill’s comedy will be at The Other Palace in Victoria, central London, from Friday until 3 December. McKellen and Allam took a break from rehearsals to chat to BBC London’s Riz Lateef.

Actor David Harewood visited Harewood House near Leeds, the stately home of the Lascelles family, to see his portrait, which the current earl has commissioned. But, as the actor explains to the BBC’s culture editor Katie Razzall, it is not easy being in the house which was built with profits from the slave trade, especially

Former editor of the Daily Mirror Piers Morgan has been quizzed about phone hacking allegations, while appearing on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. Earlier this year, at a trial in the High Court against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), the Duke of Sussex and others alleged their phones were hacked by the newspaper publisher’s journalists. Asked specifically

Antony Costa is swapping the boy band Blue to tread the boards while embracing his Greek heritage. The singer, who grew up in north London, has joined the cast of Mamma Mia! The Party at London’s O2. Costa is no stranger to the stage, having starred in theatre productions of Rock of Ages, Blood Brothers

Award winning actor Alan Cumming is aiming for a West End transfer with A Strange Loop, currently playing at the Barbican Theatre in London. The show tells the story of Usher, a black gay man writing a musical about a black gay man. It explores race, identity and sexuality. BBC London’s Wendy Hurrell went to

Since the British Museum revealed that items from its collection were stolen, missing or damaged, there have been a number of twists and turns in the story. It’s become a tale of global interest, and one that has shaken the institution’s reputation. Here’s what we know so far. Video by Gianluca Avagnina and Ian Casey

If you’ve been to see one of the summer blockbusters at the cinema recently, chances are you would have spotted a costume supplied by Angels Costumes. Based in Hendon, north-west London, this family business houses the largest privately owned collection in the world. Now they are taking stock and undertaking a mammoth task. BBC London’s

This is the moment fans booed The Killers, after frontman Brandon Flowers invited a Russian member of the audience on stage in Georgia. The backlash from sections of the crowd occurred when Flowers asked the fan to play the drums, towards the end of a concert at the Black Sea Arena, close to the city

Shirley Ballas has been surprised by her mum live on BBC Breakfast. The Strictly Come Dancing judge was there to talk about completing her “skyathlon” challenge, which raised money for suicide prevention charity Calm. Last week Shirley did a skydive, zip-line and wing walk in memory of her brother David, who took his own life

A major festival celebrating street art and culture is returning to Birmingham for its seventh year. The High-Vis Street Culture Festival takes place in Digbeth on Saturday, and has attracted more than 50 street artists. It is a celebration of street art, graffiti and breakdancing, with a particular emphasis this year on the 50th anniversary

Three of Lizzo’s former dancers say the US pop star “needs to be held accountable”. Crystal Williams, Arianna Davis and Noelle Rodriguez have filed a lawsuit against the singer, which includes claims of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Lizzo has released a statement on social media denying the claims, saying they are

Imagine finding Sir Tom Jones in your neighbour’s kitchen. That was the reality for the person living in the flat above the Stereophonics’ Kelly Jones. Kelly Jones told the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 that the singing legend once came back to his flat after a Jools Holland show. His upstairs neighbour

The Irish singer and activist Sinéad O’Connor has died aged 56. In a statement, her family said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad.” Her best known song is her 1990 cover of the Prince song Nothing Compares 2 U. Speaking about her eventful life in a BBC