Whether it is delivering dynamic DJ sets, putting together winning playlists, or hosting her popular weekly show on Solar Radio, Gurpreet Mudhar is constantly surrounded by great music.
Her show, The Midnight Mix, is quite popular on the long running UK soul music station.
With that in mind, Eastern Eye got the London-born talent, who is also known as DJ Lady G, to select her top 10 musical heroes.
Rishi Rich: A pioneer of Asian-r’n’b fusion music and a musical influencer from my teen years. The inspiring producer was mixing an array of r’n’b, bhangra, Hindi music and more. He opened my eyes to the possibilities of music, beyond the traditional genre boundaries.
DJ Spen: A successful house music icon and visionary who founded the Quantize Records label and, over a career spanning 30 years, brought house music to the masses. His unique stamp can be found on anthems, from David Morales, Louie Vega, Diana Ross, and Toni Braxton to many more.
Nile Rogers: Who doesn’t know Nile Rogers? – the American musician, record producer and composer. The co-founder of (band) Chic, Rodgers has written, produced, and performed on records that have sold more than 500 million albums and 75m singles worldwide. He was another visionary who helped influence the careers of many artists and is still going strong.
Michael Jackson: This is a tough one for me due to revelations after his death, but I grew up listening to him and recall the first time I heard the Off The Wall album. It still takes me back to my bedroom dancing and marvelling at the production by Quincy Jones. It’s timeless.
The Fugees: The group that brought us Wyclef Jean and the stunning voice of Lauryn Hill. Her dulcet tones on their cover for Roberta Flak’s Killing Me Softly was a game changer. It informed my love of singing and music.
Stevie Wonder: I think everybody has a favourite Stevie Wonder track. Mine is Happy Birthday. It’s a great birthday anthem and stands the test of time.
Panjabi MC: One of my all-time favourite producers, he accomplished things that were unheard of among his contemporaries – selling 10 million copies with his hit release Mundian To Bach Ke. His multi-genre relatability brought bhangra music to the forefront and dancefloors worldwide.
Mariah Carey: Her hit albums Music Box and Daydream, not to mention her unmistakable five-octave vocal range, take me back to memorable summers and the little singer inside me who used to sing along to Without You.
Diana Ross: Motown has a special place in my heart. Diana Ross emulates the glamour, talent and hard-working ethic that was needed to enjoy such an enduring career. Artists those days worked hard on everything from interviews to singing and stage presence. It’s such a shame some people think you can be a star overnight without appreciating how hard work and dedication inform careers too.
Solar Radio: The station and its inspirational founder Tony Monson. Tony allows the DJs to have full autonomy over their playlists, which I love. I feel so at home with the Solar Radio family. Tune in.
Gurpreet Mudhar presents The Midnight Mix, every Saturday on SolarRadio.com, featuring the best in soulful house, r’n’b, soul classics & more.
www.SolarRadio.com, Instagram & Twitter: @DJ_Lady_G and Tik Tok: @djladyg_
The Great British Sewing Bee 2025 begins Tuesday, 15 July at 9 pm on BBC One.
The 11th series will see a new group of amateur sewers compete for the title.
Patrick Grant, Esme Young and Kiell Smith-Bynoe return as judges and host.
The show continues its popularity with weekly sewing challenges and heartfelt moments.
Great British Sewing Bee 2025 set to return on 15 July
The return date for The Great British Sewing Bee 2025 has been officially confirmed. The popular BBC One competition will be back on screens on Tuesday 15 July at 9 pm, bringing with it a fresh group of amateur sewers hoping to impress judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young.
Now in its 11th series, the show has grown into a mid-year television highlight, offering a combination of creativity, technical skill, and emotional storytelling. Hosted by Kiell Smith-Bynoe, the series follows contestants through a series of themed sewing challenges as they compete for the title of Britain’s best home sewer.
New faces and returning favourites
While the full line-up of contestants for The Great British Sewing Bee 2025 is yet to be revealed, anticipation is already building. The show is known for its warm tone and close-knit community feel, with viewers often quickly forming favourites among the competitors.
Each episode will once again feature three key rounds: the Pattern Challenge, the Transformation Challenge, and the Made-to-Measure final test. Contestants will need to show flair, precision, and creativity under pressure.
Previous highlights and special episodes
The most recent episode aired was a Christmas special in 2024, featuring celebrity contestants including Ian “H” Watkins from Steps, Kellie Bright from EastEnders, comedian Fatiha El-Ghorri, and reality star Charlotte Crosby. The festive-themed episode saw challenges such as making an advent calendar and reworking a children’s onesie, with Kellie Bright emerging as the winner.
Although The Great British Sewing Bee 2025 is starting slightly later than previous years, the BBC has confirmed its regular slot, and the series is expected to run weekly through the summer.
What’s next
Details on the specific themes and tasks for this year’s episodes have not yet been released. Fans of the show can look forward to another season of innovative designs, memorable reactions from the judges, and emotional farewells as contestants are gradually eliminated.
The Great British Sewing Bee 2025 continues to be a cornerstone of BBC One’s creative competition programming, building on over a decade of sewing success.
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The Odyssey poster features a fractured Greek statue with glowing embers
Universal Pictures releases poster for Nolan’s upcoming epic The Odyssey.
Teaser trailer only available in cinemas before Jurassic World Rebirth.
Matt Damon stars as Odysseus in the film set for release on 17 July 2026.
Ensemble cast includes Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, and more.
Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan is officially delving into mythology. His upcoming film The Odyssey, a retelling of Homer’s epic tale, has just dropped its first poster, and a short teaser trailer is now being shown exclusively in cinemas alongside Jurassic World Rebirth.
The poster leans into the film’s mythological roots, featuring the image of a fractured Greek sculpture engulfed in embers, with the words “Defy the Gods” stamped across the middle. It also confirms the theatrical release date: 17 July 2026.
Matt Damon plays Odysseus in Nolan’s mythological epic
At the heart of this ambitious project is Matt Damon, returning to work with Nolan to play the Greek hero Odysseus. The teaser trailer, currently unavailable online, reportedly shows Damon adrift at sea and includes brief appearances by Tom Holland as his son Telemachus and Jon Bernthal in an unspecified role. This marks the first time Nolan has adapted a classical myth, a shift from his previous grounded, cerebral storytelling in films like Oppenheimer, Inception, and Dunkirk.
Teaser trailer only in theatres—no online release yet
In typical Nolan fashion, the teaser for The Odyssey has not been released online and is only viewable in select cinemas. The 70-second clip features dramatic glimpses of the lead characters and a haunting tone, reaffirming Nolan’s love for the theatrical experience. Leaks of the trailer have surfaced on social media, but Universal is yet to respond or confirm an official online release date.
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey poster debuts in cinemas with exclusive teaser trailerGetty Images
Nolan reteams with Universal after Oppenheimer success
Nolan’s The Odyssey follows his Oscar-winning Oppenheimer, which earned seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. With a reported budget of £197 million (₹2,080 crore), The Odyssey is Nolan’s most expensive film to date. The film is produced by Nolan’s long-time collaborator and wife, Emma Thomas, and shot using advanced IMAX technology. It continues Nolan’s new partnership with Universal after parting ways with Warner Bros.
Alongside Damon and Holland, the film features an ensemble cast including Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Elliot Page, Himesh Patel, and John Leguizamo.
With such a high-profile line-up and one of cinema’s most respected directors at the helm, The Odyssey is expected to be one of the biggest releases of 2026.
Deepika Padukone to be honoured with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2026 under the Motion Pictures category.
She is the first Indian actress to receive the recognition, announced by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
The Class of 2026 also includes Emily Blunt, Rami Malek, Timothée Chalamet and Miley Cyrus.
Deepika expressed her gratitude on Instagram, calling the moment “Gratitude…”.
Deepika Padukone has been named among the 2026 honourees for the Hollywood Walk of Fame, becoming the first Indian actress to receive the distinction. The announcement, made during a live event hosted by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, places her alongside a global line-up of actors, musicians, and broadcasters to be celebrated with their own stars on Hollywood Boulevard next year.
Deepika Padukone to get Hollywood Walk of Fame star Getty Images
Hollywood Walk of Fame committee selects Deepika for Motion Pictures category
Deepika’s name was included in the Motion Pictures category, joining a list of 35 individuals from across entertainment. This year’s selection includes actors Emily Blunt, Rachel McAdams, Rami Malek, and Timothée Chalamet, among others. Past inductee Eugenio Derbez and radio host Richard Blade revealed the names via livestream. The committee evaluated hundreds of entries before selecting honourees based on their artistic contributions, public appeal, and philanthropic work.
Jury Member Deepika Padukone attend the Palme D'or winner press conference Getty Images
Deepika Padukone’s international journey and Hollywood debut
Padukone’s inclusion, in fact, reflects her global appeal. After rising to fame in Bollywood, she entered Hollywood with the 2017 action film xXx: Return of Xander Cage, co-starring Vin Diesel. Since then, she has represented Indian cinema on international platforms such as Cannes and the Met Gala. Earlier this year, she featured in Kalki 2898 AD, one of India’s highest-grossing films, and is currently attached to Atlee’s next project alongside Allu Arjun.
Deepika Padukone honoured with Hollywood star in 2026 Getty Images
No, celebrities can’t buy their way into the Walk of Fame
With each announcement, speculation swirls online about whether stars purchase this honour. However, Walk of Fame officials clarified that selections are made through a transparent process. Anyone can submit a nomination, but it must be supported by the artist and meet strict criteria, including a minimum of five years in the industry and verifiable public impact. A sponsor later pays a fee, currently between £59,000 (₹6.2 crore) and £66,000 (₹7 crore), used for maintenance, not for purchase of the star itself.
Deepika Padukone becomes Walk of Fame honouree in 2026Getty Images
Not the first Indian name, but a major milestone for Indian cinema
While Deepika’s recognition marks a landmark for Indian women in cinema, she is not the first Indian to appear on the Walk. That honour goes to Sabu Dastagir, a Mysore-born actor who became a Hollywood sensation in the 1930s and received his star in 1960. Nevertheless, Padukone’s inclusion underscores a new era of global visibility for Indian actors.
Charlize Theron revealed she recently slept with a 26-year-old and called the experience “really f---ing amazing”.
The actress made the candid admission during her appearance on Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast.
Theron spoke about her distaste for dating apps and why she’s happy being single.
Her latest film, The Old Guard 2, is now streaming on Netflix.
At 49, Charlize Theron says she’s enjoying a new sense of freedom, and it includes some unexpected, thrilling experiences. The Oscar-winning actress recently spoke about a sexual encounter with a 26-year-old that she described as “really f---ing amazing”, during her guest appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast hosted by Alex Cooper. Promoting her new Netflix film The Old Guard 2, Theron got candid about her dating life, past relationships, and how her forties have brought her a refreshing shift in perspective.
Charlize Theron poses with her Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role during the 76th Annual Academy AwardsGetty Images
Sex and confidence after 40
When Cooper asked Theron to share her best sex advice, the actress hesitated before opening up. “I’ve probably had three one-night stands in my entire life,” she admitted. “But I did just recently f--- a 26-year-old, and it was really f---ing amazing.” She explained the encounter came from a newfound liberation: “I think it’s because I found this freedom in my forties where I’m like, ‘Oh my god.’”
Charlize Theron stars in "The Cider House Rules"Getty Images
No patience for dating apps or industry matches
Theron, who’s been romantically linked in the past to Sean Penn and Stuart Townsend, had strong opinions about online dating. Calling it a “clown show”, she criticised everything from selfies in closets to Burning Man pictures. She also dismissed the idea of dating fellow actors, saying it doesn’t work for her. “I don’t think dating someone in my industry is a smart thing,” she told Cooper.
Charlize Theron attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Netflix's "The Old Guard 2" Getty Images
Comfortable without a relationship
The Mad Max: Fury Road star, a single mother to daughters Jackson and August, said she’s happy not being in a relationship. “There’s this notion that someone like me must be missing out,” she said. “But I’m not.” She made it clear she isn’t seeking marriage either. “I want long-term commitment. I just don’t need to get married,” she said, adding that fears around being stuck may be part of her hesitation.
Charlize Theron during the 2010 Soccer World Cup Final Draw Getty Images
Juggling sex, motherhood and a career
Theron pointed out how hard it is to find time for romance while raising two children. “Who has f---ing time for dates and waxing and make-up?” she laughed. “I’ve got two children that have to go to school.” Her daughters, now 12 and 9, were adopted in 2012 and 2015. She often jokes about how unimpressed they are by her career, even after visiting her on the set of The Old Guard 2.
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Ranbir Kapoor appears as Lord Ram for the first time in the Ramayana teaser
The teaser offers the first look at Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Yash as Ravan.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana will release in two parts during Diwali 2026 and 2027.
The film features music by Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman and action by Hollywood stunt legends.
With a reported budget of £78 million (₹835 crore), it’s the most expensive Indian film to date.
The much-awaited teaser for Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Ram and Yash as Ravan, is finally out, though viewers will have to wait longer to see actual scenes from the film. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the teaser opts for a stylised introduction to the mythological world rather than full footage, with only fleeting glimpses of the lead characters revealed at the very end.
Ramayana teaser out featuring Ranbir Kapoor and YashYoutube Screengrab
A grand reveal without footage
The nearly three-minute teaser introduces the film’s mythological backdrop, tracing the cosmic balance maintained by Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. It culminates in the visual build-up of the Ram-Ravan conflict, described as “the war to end all wars.” Viewers get a few seconds of Ranbir as Ram and Yash as Ravan, but no narrative footage yet.
Fans noticed the teaser’s stylistic similarity to the Game of Thrones title credits, with scrolling names and grandeur, rather than traditional scene previews. The glimpse was launched across multiple Indian cities and even showcased at Times Square, clearly indicating the producers’ international ambitions for the film.
With a budget of £78 million (₹835 crore), Ramayana is now the costliest Indian film ever made, surpassing Kalki 2898 AD and Adipurush. Alongside Ranbir and Yash, the film stars Sai Pallavi as Sita, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman.
Yash, also co-producing the film, recently said Ravan was the only character he would have agreed to play in a mythological story. “There’s vast scope to present him in a very different way,” he shared in a media interaction.
Adding to the project’s scale are composers Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman, scoring the film together. Zimmer, known for Inception and Interstellar, brings global texture to the soundtrack, along with Rahman’s spiritual depth.
Stunt choreography will be led by Terry Notary (Avatar) and Guy Norris (Mad Max: Fury Road), promising action battle sequences grounded in emotion.
Yash in discussion with stunt director Guy Norris during Ramayana shoot Twitter/@SumitkadeI
Two-part release set for Diwali 2026 and 2027
The film will be released in two parts, with the first instalment expected to hit cinemas during Diwali 2026 and the second in 2027. Touted as “Our Truth, Our Story,” Ramayana aims to retell the ancient epic with visual grandeur while staying rooted in its moral and cultural legacy.