Highlights
- Charlie Higson announces new James Bond novel King Zero
- Book will present a modern-day Bond aged 35, separate from Young Bond series
- Story aims to combine Ian Fleming’s literary tone with cinematic 007 style
- Novel introduces a new villain, continuing classic Bond naming tradition
- Set for publication in September 2026 by Ian Fleming Publications
A new Bond story outside established timelines
A fresh James Bond novel is set to arrive later this year, with Charlie Higson stepping into adult 007 territory for the first time.
Titled King Zero, the book will not continue his earlier Young Bond series. Instead, it introduces a standalone version of Bond as a 35-year-old operating in the present day. The shift allows Higson to move away from the historical setting of his earlier work and explore a more contemporary take on the character.
Bridging page and screen
Higson has said the novel is designed to bring together two distinct interpretations of Bond. Drawing from Ian Fleming’s original writing while also acknowledging the global reach of the films, King Zero aims to sit between literary tradition and cinematic appeal.
He noted that many audiences primarily know Bond through the films, shaping his approach to tone and storytelling. The intention is to retain the essence of Fleming’s character while making it accessible to modern readers familiar with the screen version.
A classic villain setup
The title King Zero follows a long-standing Bond tradition where the antagonist’s name defines the story, echoing earlier works such as Goldfinger, Dr. No and The Man with the Golden Gun.
Early details suggest the novel will feature sharks, hinting at a storyline that leans into classic Bond motifs of danger and spectacle.
A busy year for Bond fans
The release forms part of a wider slate of James Bond projects in 2026. Alongside Higson’s novel, Kim Sherwood is set to publish Hurricane Room in May.
With additional projects across gaming and audio formats also in development, the franchise continues to expand beyond film, revisiting its literary roots while adapting to new audiences.
The singer jokingly texted Clairo saying, "Let's f**k her up," sparking an online frenzy
Why Charli XCX jokingly declared war on Peppa Pig after one viral comment
Highlights
What started as a playful celebrity game has turned into one of the internet's most unexpected viral moments, with Charli XCX jokingly threatening to "f**k up" Peppa Pig after the beloved cartoon character appeared to dismiss singer Clairo.
The exchange quickly spread across social media, drawing reactions from fans and fellow musicians, while turning an unlikely clash between a pop star and a fictional children's character into a trending talking point.
Peppa Pig's viral remark sparked the joke
The playful exchange began during Peppa Pig's appearance in Pitchfork's Over/Under game, where the animated character rated a selection of music artists.
While expressing admiration for acts including PinkPantheress and The Beatles, Peppa responded to Clairo by saying, "I don't know her," a line widely recognised as a reference to Mariah Carey's famous response when asked about Jennifer Lopez.
The remark, accompanied by a knowing glance at the camera, quickly gained traction online.
Charli XCX rushed to Clairo's defence
After seeing the clip, Charli XCX privately messaged Clairo, writing, "Let's f**k her up," alongside a screenshot of the viral post.
Clairo later shared the exchange on social media, prompting thousands of reactions from fans, many of whom responded with pig and bacon-themed jokes.
PinkPantheress, whom Peppa had praised in the original video, also joined the conversation, posting a message supporting Clairo.
As the exchange continued, Clairo responded to the growing attention with humour, replying to posts before eventually telling followers, "ok that's enoughhhhh lolllllllllll."
Some fans joked that the viral moment was the perfect opportunity for the singer to announce new music, though Clairo replied that she did not have anything ready to share.
Her most recent album, Charm, was released in 2024, with its accompanying tour concluding in 2025.
Charli XCX keeps her focus on new music
While the online joke continued to gather momentum, Charli XCX did not publicly add to the exchange.
Instead, the singer has been focusing on promoting her upcoming album, Music, Fashion, Film, which is scheduled for release on July 24.
Although fans speculated that one of the track titles could be a playful nod to the viral exchange, there has been no indication that the album references the light-hearted social media moment.