HARRY COLE: During a TV documentary about life in the Foreign Office, the head of the Diplomatic Service, Sir Simon McDonald, made it clear that he relished his position of power.

Shostakovich's 11th Symphony here receives a performance of exceptional eloquence from the Manchester-based BBC Philharmonic under their chief guest conductor, the Finn John Storgårds.

TALK OF THE TOWN: Eleanor Tomlinson, who played flame-haired Demelza in Poldark, has revealed KFC is her late-night choice of takeaway, rating it superior to one high-street rival.

The BBC, another key Premier League partner, has also complained to the European Commission about Saudi Arabia regarding TV piracy, which could scupper state's bid to buy Newcastle.

Mr Dowden urged director-general Tony Hall to 'uphold the highest standards in relation to integrity and impartiality' in the wake of the Panorama programme which featured five left-wing activists.

Steve Coogan has revealed the second series of I'm Alan Partridge would have been funnier if he wasn't snorting so much cocaine.

Intimacy coach Duchess Iphie analysed the sex scene from the second episode of BBC's Normal People, telling FEMAIL seeking consent and mutual nudity made it the perfect on-screen moment.

The show, which is based on Sally Rooney's best-selling second novel, follows troubled lovers Connell and Marianne from their school days in Sligo to university at Trinity College Dublin.

Don't the older generation realise that the enforced coronavirus lockdown is proof that the elderly are valued, that the nation is trying to protect us and keep us safe, ESTHER RANTZEN, 79, writes.

SPORTS AGENDA: Big, unexpected news out of the BBC on Friday when, in an illuminatingly terse email, staff were informed that Radio 5 Live Sport editor Mike Carr had left the building.

The 21-year-old, who stars as Marianne in the hit BBC drama, was spotted taking a stroll during the lockdown with her actor boyfriend Tom Varey who appeared as Cley Cerwyn in Game Of Thrones.

Britt Ekland, now 77, was married to British comic actor Peter Sellers from 1964 to 1968. She's spoken candidly for the first time about their fights and his controlling ways in a new BBC documentary.

Speaking to Evanna Lynch and Riyadh Khalaf on the BBC's Obsessed With... podcast sexpert Alix Fox said Normal People's portrayal of sex often left her 'wincing' and were 'ominous'.

BBC viewers were shown heartbreaking images of gibbons in tiny cages on Primates. It focused on trade in Malaysia, where the capture of gibbons is decimating the wild population.

Sadiq Khan is at the mercy of militant unions which are demanding a new deal for workers amid warnings London's transport network will be 'rapidly overwhelmed' once the lockdown eases.

EastEnders bosses have reportedly held crisis talks about how they'll tackle coronavirus filming issues when production on the BBC soap recommences in June.

Speaking to People on Monday, the Punisher star, 38, spoke candidly about the age gap between his character Benjamin Grenne and Julia Day (played by Julia Ormond) in the drama.

Tonight's Horizon: The Great British Intelligence Test on BBC Two revealed University Challenge star Bobby Seagull, 26, from London, has an 'extremely average' size brain.

He is the breakout star of the BBC's new teenage sex drama Normal People - but actor Paul Mescal has admitted he only got the part after fibbing to BBC producers about whether he could drive.

The names of those who sit on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) had not previously been published on security and independence grounds.

People living in larger homes could pay more for their TV Licence if plans to base its costs on council tax bands are approved. A household charge was 'probably the future,' the source said.

The unlikely trend was claimed by a consultant at Harrogate district hospital. Dr Richard Pilling urged people to mark the weekly occasion 'less vigorously.'

Sim Harris, 64, had been waiting for a visa at the embassy in South Kensington, West London, when six armed men stormed the site and took him and 25 others hostage.

Bosses say the requirement to wear PPE at all times while working in care homes, coupled with increased costs, mean that supplies often run out extremely quickly.

In BBC Three's Boys Banged Up, filmed at Hydebank Wood prison in Northern Ireland, inmate William claims he self harms out of remorse for his part in an attack on a young girl.

Tim Richards, chief executive of the Vue Cinemas chain, said he is 'hopeful' that cinemas can be open in time for the release date of Nolan's new film, Tenet, on July 17.

Mick Jagger provided a hilarious 'public service' video snippet as part of Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show at home on Monday, modeled to look like an old-school BBC News announcement.

A row was triggered after Lord Sugar posted a tweet suggesting followers buy a Stylsmile teeth whiteening toothbrush kit, which costs £149.99, as a Christmas present. He failed to note his ownership.

Jonathan, from Glasgow, told how homeless charities and street groups 'stopped going out' when the coronavirus hit in March in new BBC Three documentary Stacey Dooley: Lockdown Heroes.

Bored lockdowners rearranging furniture are often left with dents made by sofas on their carpets. Ex Bake Off winner Nancy Birtwhistle, from Lincolnshire, has shared her tip for removing them.

Antonia Staats, 38, joked to neighbours in her affluent area of south-west London about her wealthy family's 'middle class problems' like 'sharing chores' and losing their au pair and cleaner.

Labour MP Nadia Whittome, who won her seat for Nottingham East in December, returned to a home in Nottinghamshire a month ago, pledging to help out in her former role amid the Covid-19 crisis.

The simple silver chain -  which is described in the book as 'Argos chic' and is used to emphasise the class divide between Connell and Marianne now has its own Instagram account.

Tomorrow, we mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day. After six years of wartime restrictions, May 8, 1945, saw the nation pour onto the streets to celebrate.

PAUL BRACCHI: Antonia Staats, the girlfriend of Professor Neil Ferguson, was telling the general public to 'Stay at home' during lockdown, while she visited the Prof's flat twice.

Sir Mick Jagger is currently happily holed up at his 16th century French castle, La Fourchette, which is situated on the banks of the Loire as he quarantines during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Normal People star, 24, discussed the reaction to the BBC series and his character Connell during a recent interview with Grazia magazine.

Rhys McCole, from Greenock, took to social media last night to confirm he was still alive after BBC News Scotland falsely reported on his death.

The story of adultery has gripped a nation where cheating on a spouse was illegal just five years ago.

The DJ, 29, showcased her toned figure in a mint green midi skirt with a daring thigh-high slit.

the Normal People star, 24, who plays Connell Waldren was left stunned on Thursday as James Corden revealed on Twitter that the Sally Rooney adaptation 'changed my life'.

Fans have been clamouring for another instalment since the show aired earlier this month but the pair were not giving away any hints about whether a follow-up could be in the pipeline.

The BBC's head of television sport Philip Bernie's comments came after the departures of several veteran presenters such as John Inverdale, 62, led to accusations of a 'cull'.

Jeonbuk Motors are taking Suwon Bluewings and supporters have jumped at the chance to watch some live action for the first time since football was suspended in March.

They star together as DI Kate Fleming and DS Steve Arnott in Jed Mercurio's BBC police TV series Line Of Duty. 

TfL, who operate London's underground network, are 'running the maximum frequency' of services possible. Fewer trains means commuters have been forced to cram into over-crowded carriages.

The actor, 43, made his name playing the sadistic Jim Moriarty in the BBC series Sherlock and feared he would become typecast as the villain.

The radio presenter, 49, raised eyebrows once again as she appeared on The One Show on Thursday in a plunging pink satin dress.

The broadcaster may be forced to hold off on awarding the gong for this year with what promised to be an action-packed calendar severely disrupted due to the pandemic.

The actress, 35, looked sensational in a blue floral dress as she sang White Cliffs of Dover during BBC's special celebration for the 75th Anniversary of VE Day on Friday.