Celebrations for Charles, Rooney’s return and art prize
Prince Charles will celebrate a landmark birthday on Thursday when he turns 70. It is an age where most people would already be retired but the nature of his royal duties and being future head of state means there will be no slowing down for the heir to the throne.
Charles made headlines last week when he promised his public campaigning on various issues – described by some critics as ‘meddling’ – will come to an end when he becomes king. But he also defended his past actions, which have included setting up the Prince’s Trust in 1976 to help disadvantaged young people.
“I always wonder what meddling is,” he told the BBC. “I mean, I always thought it was motivating, but I’ve always been intrigued, if it’s meddling to worry about the inner cities, as I did 40 years ago, and what was happening or not happening there.
“If that’s meddling I’m very proud of it.”
Gareth Southgate has won much praise for reinventing the England team with the introduction of new young faces but on Thursday night, the Three Lions will be heralding the return of one of their old guard.
Wayne Rooney is set to win his 120th and final cap for England in a friendly against the USA. The former Manchester United and Everton striker, who now plays in the States for DC United, is England’s record goalscorer and current England captain Harry Kane has described him as “one of our greatest ever players”.
Children in Need will be back on our screens on Friday night, with the hosts for the star-studded telethon including Graham Norton and Tess Daly. Highlights of the show will include members of Boyzone taking part in a special edition of
It will follow a day of fundraising in schools, shops and workplaces across the country that will make millions for good causes.
On Thursday night, Sir Rod Stewart, George Ezra and Rita Ora are among the stars who will appear in a coverthemed concert for Children In Need broadcast on BBC One.
Since its first major appeal in 1980, BBC Children in Need has raised more than £972m to help disadvantaged young people around the UK.
With Britain’s departure from the European Union looming ever closer, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to give his take on the progress in talks – or lack of them – in a speech today in London.
The ex-Labour leader, who predicted last month that there will be a second referendum on Brexit, is to provide his latest thoughts in a speech at the Institute for Government at lunchtime.
The winner of The Hepworth Prize for Sculpture will be announced on Thursday, with a £30,000 prize up for grabs.
Five artists – Michael Dean, Mona Hatoum, Magali Reus, Phillip Lai and Cerith Wyn Evans – have been shortlisted for the £30,000 biennial award, which has quickly established itself as one of the biggest art prizes in the country.
Launched two years ago to mark the Wakefield gallery’s fifth anniversary, the inaugural winner was Helen Marten, who also went on to win the Turner Prize.
This year’s judging panel consists of Sarah Brown, curator at Leeds Art Gallery, Martin Clark, director of Camden Arts Centre, Margot Heller, director of South London Gallery and Helen Legg, director of Tate Liverpool.
The work of all the finalists will continue to be on display until January 20.