Today is Hot Air Balloon Day, National Fish and Chip Day, National Sausage Roll Day and HIV Long-Term Survivors Day. Your star sign is Gemini and your birthstone is Pearl (Alexandrite and Moonstone is also recognised).

1956 – 2021 – Roger Michell (65), British theatre, television and film director including Notting Hill and Venus.

1981 – 2009 – Jade Goody (27), English TV personality and businesswoman who rose to fame as a contestant on the third series of the Channel 4 reality show Big Brother in 2002.

1951 – Ellen Foley (75), American singer known for her powerhouse duet with Meat Loaf (“Paradise by the Dashboard Light”), born in St. Louis, Missouri, United States.

1952 – Michael “Nicko” McBrain (74), English musician, and the drummer of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden (“Run to the Hills”) since 1982, born in Hackney, London.

1956 – Richard Butler (70), English singer and songwriter with the 80’s rock band the Psychedelic Furs (“Love My Way”), born in Kingston upon Thames, London.

1964 – Maggie Dunne (62), English singer with all-girl alternative rock band Fuzzbox (“International Rescue”), born in Solihull, West Midlands.

1968 – Mel Giedroyc (58), English actress, comedian and television presenter (Mel and Sue, The Great British Bake Off), born in Epsom, Surrey.

1971 – Mark Wahlberg (55), American actor (Boogie Nights, Shooter, Lone Survivor) and former member of New Kids On The Block, born in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.

1974 – Nina Conti (52), English actress, comedian, and ventriloquist often appearing on stage with her character Monkey, born in Hampstead, North London.

1976 – Ross Noble (50), English stand-up comedian and panelist (Have I Got News for You), born in Newcastle upon Tyne.

1987 – Charlie Clements (39), English actor known for the role of Bradley Branning in Eastenders from January 2006 to February 2010, born in Sidcup, London Borough of Bexley.

1995 – Ross Wilson (31), British paralympic table tennis player, born in Minster on Sea, Isle of Sheppey, Kent.

1993 – Conway Twitty (59), was an American singer and songwriter. Initially a part of the 1950s rockabilly scene, Twitty was best known as a country music performer.

2004 – Ronald Reagan (93), was an American politician and actor (The Last Outpost) who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989.

1916 – British General Lord Kitchener drowned when HMS Hampshire hit a mine off the Orkney Islands during a storm and sank en route to Russia. There were no survivors.

1944 – A cafe in the French town of Benouville was the first place to be liberated from German occupation when British paratroopers seized control of a vital canal bridge in advance of the main Allied D-Day landings in Normandy the following morning on 6th June.

1949 – Enid Blyton’s wooden toy character Noddy first appeared in the Sunday Graphic. The newspaper serialisation introduced readers to the rosy-cheeked wooden boy and his magical world, featuring artwork by Dutch illustrator Harmsen van der Beek.

1963 – John Profumo resigned, admitting he lied to Parliament about his relationship with a call girl, Christine Keeler, the reputed mistress of an alleged Soviet spy. His resignation damaged the reputation of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan’s government and Macmillan himself resigned a few months later due to ill health.

1964 – Blue Streak became Britain’s first rocket, taking her into the space age. The 69 ft rocket was launched at Woomera, Australia and was a simplified civilian version that had been designed for research and satellite launching purposes. Blue Streak had originally been planned as Britain’s first nuclear weapon carrier but was scrapped due to costs.

1968 – Robert F. Kennedy was shot by 24-year-old Sirhan Sirhan at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Medical teams attempted to treat him, but he died the following day at the age of 42. Sirhan, a Palestinian Christian who held strong anti-Zionist and pro-Palestinian beliefs, testified at trial in 1969 that he killed Kennedy “with 20 years of malice aforethought”; he was convicted and sentenced to death. His sentence was commuted to life in prison in 1972.

1972 – The funeral of King Edward VIII was held at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. The primary mourners and attendees included: Queen Elizabeth II, the Duchess of Windsor (Wallis Simpson), the Queen Mother, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Princess Margaret, Prime Minister Edward Heath and former Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

1975 – The United Kingdom’s first country-wide referendum on European integration was held. Voters were asked if the UK should stay in the European Economic Community (EEC), commonly known as the “Common Market”. The electorate voted overwhelmingly by 67.2% to 32.8% to remain.

1984 – Under orders from India’s prime minister, Indira Gandhi, the Indian Army begins an invasion of the Golden Temple, the holiest site of the Sikh religion.

1988 – The musical “The Phantom of the Opera” wins seven awards at the 42nd Tony awards, including Best Musical and Best Leading Actor in a Musical (Michael Crawford).

1988 – The Russian Orthodox Church celebrated its 1,000th anniversary marking the historic “Baptism of Rus” in 988 AD, which established Christianity in the region.

1990 – Mikhail Gorbachev was awarded the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize for his leading role in the peace process and ending the Cold War.

1993 – The Holbeck Hall Hotel in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, fell into the sea following a landslide, making news around the world. The event was captured on camera and broadcast worldwide, with the collapse even occurring during a live broadcast by ITV Calendar’s Richard Whiteley.

1998 – “The Truman Show” starring Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, and Ed Harris is released in US cinemas (October 9, 1998 in the UK).

2006 – Serbia declared its independence from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. The declaration came just two days after Montenegro voted to leave the union, officially dissolving the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.

2007 – The new Olympics 2012 logo received a ‘mauling’ when it was unveiled to the public. The logo, which took a year to design was designed to ‘engage with young people and excite sponsors’ said the London 2012 chairman, Sebastian Coe.

2011 – American actress Chloë Grace Moretz wins three MTV Movie & TV Awards: Best Breakthrough Performance (Won for her role in the superhero movie Kick-Ass), Best Hero (Won for playing the character Hit-Girl) and Biggest Badass Star (awarded for her performance as a young vigilante).

2012 – The day was declared a Bank Holiday to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. It was the final day of 4 days of celebration to honour 60 years of the Queen as our monarch. It has been 115 years since the United Kingdom last celebrated a royal Diamond Jubilee (that was Queen Victoria’s) and it may be another century or more before there is another.

2014 – Property experts estimated there could be up to 1,000 JCBs buried underground in London, because it is cheaper to bury them than to lift them to street level following basement extensions. The total value of the JCBs buried underground is thought to be around £5 million.

2017 – Montenegro officially became the 29th member of NATO.

2018 – The heist comedy Ocean’s 8 starring Sandra Bullock, Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett and Rihanna held its world premiere at Alice Tully Hall in New York City, before a European premiere in London’s Leicester Square on June 13.

2024 – Boeing officially launched its first crewed mission of the Starliner capsule. The primary objective was a comprehensive end-to-end test of the Starliner system to certify it for routine, regularly scheduled astronaut transport missions to the ISS.

2025 – The Nintendo Switch 2 was officially released worldwide.

1961 – Roy Orbison went to No.1 on the US chart with ‘Running Scared’, it made No.9 in the UK. The B-side ‘Love Hurts’ also picked up significant airplay, making Orbison’s recording the first version to be a hit.

1964 – The Rolling Stones played their first-ever live date in the US when they appeared at the Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino, California. The Stones were supporting their first album release The Rolling Stones, in North America.

1971 – Paul McCartney’s second solo album Ram started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK chart. Featuring the US No.1 single ‘Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey’ the album was recorded amid Paul McCartney’s legal action in Britain’s High Court to dissolve the Beatles’ partnership, following their break-up the year before.

1993 – Country singer Conway Twitty died from an abdominal aortic aneurysm. He had the 1958 US & UK No.1 single ‘It’s Only Make Believe’. Until 2000, he held the record for the most Number One singles of any country act, with 45 No.1’s.

2002 – Dee Dee Ramone, (Douglas Glenn Colvin), bass guitarist with the Ramones died at his Hollywood, California apartment of a heroin overdose aged 49.

2003 – A Grandfather who set up his own pirate radio station in Wakefield, Yorkshire was under investigation by local broadcasting authorities. The man known as Ricky Rock had erected a 32ft transmitter in his garden and had been playing hits by The Beach Boys, The Beatles and Elvis Presley. Ricky said he set the station up because ‘talent-less boy bands and dance music’ featured on local stations did not cater to the tastes of his generation.

2010 – Led Zeppelin were officially voted the nation’s favourite band by the BBC’s ‘I’m In A Rock ‘N` Roll Band’, coming ahead of both The Beatles and Queen in a phone-in vote.

2016 – The four members of ABBA performed alongside one another for the first time since 1982 at a private gala to mark 50 years since songwriting duo Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson met for the first time in Stockholm. The impromptu performance reportedly began when Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstadon recited their 1980 hit ‘Me and I’ as a tribute to Andersson and Ulvaeus, before the two others joined in and made the reunion official.

2019 – Forbes magazine announced that Rihanna was the richest female musician in the world. The singer had amassed a fortune of about £472 million, largely through her music and makeup business. Her Fenty Beauty line launched in 2017 reportedly made about £78 million in its first 40 days. Rihanna’s wealth put her ahead of Madonna, worth an estimated £448 million, Celine Dion (£350 million) and Beyoncé (£314 million).

755 AD – English missionary Boniface, ‘the Apostle of Germany’, was murdered in Germany by unbelievers, along with 53 of his companions.

1661 – Isaac Newton was admitted as a student to Cambridge University’s Trinity College. Newton, who was older than most of the other students, originally entered the college with the aim of attaining a law degree. It was only in 1663 that he finally began to take an interest in science and math, the realms to which he ended up contributing most.

1718 – The birth in Otley, North Yorkshire, of Thomas Chippendale, cabinet-maker and furniture designer.

1829 – HMS Pickle, a schooner of 5 guns, was involved in the suppression of the slave trade, and achieved fame for capturing the armed slave ship Voladora off the coast of Cuba.

1876 – Americans were introduced to bananas. Bananas don’t naturally grow in the US, and on this day, they were presented at a food fair in Philadelphia. The bananas were an instant hit.

The Prime Minister is due to meet the family of Henry Nowak following growing public concern over the circumstances surrounding the student's death and the police response. The case continues to dominate national headlines and political debate across the UK.

Tube strikes are continuing to cause disruption across London, with passengers being urged to check before travelling as services remain affected on several Underground lines.

Today is World Environment Day, with organisations across the UK holding events focused on climate change, biodiversity and sustainability. Communities are being encouraged to take part in local environmental projects.

The Government's backing of a major Universal theme park in Bedfordshire continues to generate excitement. The £5 billion development is expected to create thousands of jobs and become one of Europe's largest visitor attractions.

New NHS guidance is set to restrict political symbols being worn on uniforms following recommendations from an independent review. The move has sparked debate across the healthcare sector.

King Charles has hosted the latest Youth Opportunity Summit at Buckingham Palace, bringing together young people, charities and business leaders to discuss jobs, skills and opportunities for the next generation.

New figures suggest the UK's construction sector has experienced its sharpest slowdown since 2020, raising concerns about future economic growth and investment.

UK car sales have reached their highest May level since before the pandemic, driven by strong demand for electric vehicles and new models entering the market.

Legendary broadcaster Bob Harris is stepping back from BBC Radio 2 due to ill health. Harris has been a familiar voice on British radio for decades and has received an outpouring of support from listeners.

England's first Test against New Zealand is underway at Lord's, with Ben Stokes' side looking to make a strong start to the summer cricket season.

The Daily Telegraph leads with photographs of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor showing a large bruise on his right cheek. The paper reports that sources have played down concerns, insisting there was no accident or attack involved.

The Daily Mirror also focuses on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after he was photographed with a visible mark on his face. The paper links the story to an official report examining his current living arrangements.

The Daily Mail leads on findings from a National Audit Office report concerning property arrangements connected to members of the Royal Family. The paper examines questions around public spending and value for money.

The Daily Star features a photograph of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's bruised cheek on its front page and also reports on the public spending watchdog's findings regarding royal property arrangements.

The Times carries a similar image of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor near Sandringham and reports that the facial mark is believed to be linked to a medical condition rather than any accident or assault.

Searches for Royal Lodge have surged after multiple national newspapers focused on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and renewed debate about his living arrangements. The story has sparked fresh discussion about royal properties, public spending and transparency.

Searches for the phrase "two-tier policing" have increased sharply as debate continues following the Henry Nowak case. Politicians, commentators and members of the public are all discussing what the term means and whether it applies to modern policing.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is trending as England continue preparations in Florida ahead of the tournament. Fans are searching for team news, injury updates and predictions as excitement builds for football's biggest event.

British electronic music duo Disclosure are trending after fresh festival appearances and speculation about new music. Brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence remain one of the UK's biggest dance acts and are generating plenty of attention ahead of the summer festival season.

Helen George, best known for playing Trixie Franklin in BBC drama Call The Midwife, is trending following new interviews and entertainment coverage. Fans have been searching for updates on her future projects and life away from the long-running series.

AI company Anthropic is trending after reports surrounding its rapid growth and plans for a future stock market listing. The company is one of the major competitors to OpenAI and is attracting increasing attention from investors and technology experts.

Hollywood actor Chris Pratt is trending following fresh movie news and interviews. The star of Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World continues to generate strong interest whenever new projects are announced.

Portuguese midfielder Vitinha is trending after impressive performances for Paris Saint-Germain and growing discussion about his role for Portugal at the World Cup. Many football fans now regard him as one of Europe's most underrated players.

Veteran actor James Handy, known for appearances in films including Jumanji and Top Gun has died after being stabbed outside his Los Angeles home. Police allege he was killed by his girlfriend's son, who was arrested at the scene. Handy was 81 and enjoyed a career spanning more than four decades.

Lizzo's new album Bitch has finally arrived and is generating plenty of discussion among fans and critics. The album marks her first major release since a series of legal controversies and early reviews have been mixed.

Madonna has sparked concern after performing a dramatic stunt during a Pride concert in New York's Times Square. Fans were left stunned as the pop icon appeared high above the crowd while promoting her upcoming album Confessions II.

Jennifer Lopez is back on screens with her new Netflix romantic comedy Office Romance. The film has received mixed reviews, with critics divided over whether the rom-com delivers enough chemistry and laughs.

Kevin Hart has revealed there's one celebrity he believes should never be the subject of a comedy roast – Oprah Winfrey. The comedian says some stars should remain off-limits despite the growing popularity of celebrity roast specials, with Hart suggesting Oprah's status and influence make her untouchable.

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Timothée Chalamet has gone viral after reacting to the New York Knicks' latest NBA Finals victory. The actor, a passionate Knicks supporter, joked about the emotional toll the team's playoff run is taking on fans.

Anna Faris has generated online discussion after a rare red carpet appearance with her son Jack. Fans shared messages of support after social media users expressed concern about her wellbeing.

Khloé Kardashian's former partner Tristan Thompson has been spotted with a mystery woman in California. The sighting comes shortly after he publicly discussed his past infidelity during an appearance on Khloé's podcast.

Australian comedian Wil Anderson has confirmed a relationship with writer and actress Tamzen Hayes. The couple have reportedly been together for two years following his split from long-term partner Amy Williamson.

Helen George, best known for playing Trixie in Call The Midwife, continues to trend following fresh interviews and media appearances. Fans of the long-running BBC drama have been searching for updates on her future projects.

Niall Horan is making headlines after the release of his fourth solo album, Dinner Party. The former One Direction star says the record is his most personal yet, with fans already discussing tracks including Flowers, Monochromatic and Tastes So Good.

The estate of Prince has announced a new posthumous album called Timeless, featuring previously unreleased recordings from the music legend. The release is expected to be one of the biggest catalogue albums of the year.

Capital's Summertime Ball takes place this weekend at Wembley Stadium, bringing together some of the biggest names in music. The annual event is one of the UK's largest live music shows and is generating huge excitement among fans.

Legendary music executive Clive Davis has been discharged from hospital following treatment for an upper respiratory issue. The 94-year-old industry icon is recovering at home after concerns about his health earlier this week.

Olivia Rodrigo has revealed she would be open to collaborating with Sabrina Carpenter in the future. Fans have reacted positively to the possibility of the two pop stars working together after years of speculation and media attention.

The Beach Boys are celebrating the 60th anniversary of Pet Sounds, one of the most influential albums ever recorded. New merchandise and special releases are being launched to mark the milestone.

The Beatles are back in the headlines as fans mark 59 years since Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band began its historic 23-week run at number one. The album is widely regarded as one of the most important records in music history.

Peter Frampton has revealed that making his first album of original material in 16 years with his son helped transform his creative process. The guitar legend has also released a documentary celebrating his remarkable career.

Eric Nam has released his new single Miss Me More, exploring the emotions that follow the end of a relationship. The release comes ahead of his upcoming album Confessions of a Lonely Heart later this year.

British electronic music duo Disclosure are trending after fresh festival appearances and speculation about new music. Brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence remain one of the UK's biggest dance acts and are generating plenty of attention ahead of the summer festival season.

A new survey has revealed that 16% of Britons have attached fitness trackers to their dogs in a bid to boost their daily step counts. The research also found many people admit feeling pressure to make their exercise routines look more impressive online.

The Princess of Wales surprised a young mother who had just completed chemotherapy treatment during a visit to The Christie Hospital in Manchester. The emotional moment has been widely praised online.

A bakery school is on a mission to teach one million children to bake by 2036. Experts say getting children involved in the kitchen can boost confidence, creativity and practical life skills.

A new skincare product claiming to tackle signs of ageing and so-called "Ozempic face" has launched in Ireland. The cream aims to restore facial volume without invasive treatments, with early trials showing promising results.

Food experts say lettuce can stay fresh for up to 10 days longer with a simple kitchen trick involving a quick wash, proper drying and storage with paper towels.

Gardeners are being urged not to cut their lawns too short during hot weather. Experts say longer grass helps protect roots and keeps lawns greener throughout the summer.

An IKEA customer has described spending a night alone inside one of the retailer's showrooms as feeling like "hallucinating inside a Scandinavian kindergarten". The unusual staycation experience sold out within minutes.

Experts are warning pet owners that sharing a bed with their dog or cat could negatively affect sleep quality and health, despite many people enjoying the companionship.

A survey has found many people struggle to understand modern wedding dress codes, with guests often confused by terms such as "black tie", "cocktail" and "smart casual".

And finally, today is National Donut Day in the United States, with bakeries and coffee shops celebrating the sweet treat. Searches for doughnuts have been rising around the world as people look for an excuse to indulge.

George Knight's shock exit dominated discussion following Thursday night's episode. The footballer, who only entered the villa days earlier as a bombshell, has left the show for what ITV described as "private reasons". Viewers were stunned after he played a major role in the villa's first dumping before disappearing from the programme.

The biggest twist of the night saw Ellie Chadwick and Samraj Toor discover they hadn't really been dumped after all. Instead, the pair were secretly moved to the Hideaway and told their Love Island journey wasn't over, leaving viewers divided over the latest producer twist.

Two new bombshells arrived to shake things up. Business development manager Priya and electrician Kavan entered the villa's extended storyline, with Kavan immediately attracting attention because he's the brother of current Islander Aidan Murphy.

Fans were left stunned when Kavan's arrival created the show's first ever non-twin sibling storyline. Viewers quickly took to social media after realising two brothers could potentially be competing for attention in the same villa.

Aidan Murphy continued to find himself at the centre of villa drama as his connection with Yasmin grew stronger, while viewers questioned how Ellie might react after watching events unfold from the Hideaway.

Away from the villa, Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury continued to dominate Love Island-related searches after announcing the arrival of their second child. Fans are now eagerly waiting to find out the baby's name after Molly-Mae hinted some people may struggle to pronounce it.

And finally, viewers were shocked to discover current Islander Mica Harris has a very famous family connection. Fans learned that her aunt is Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, prompting a huge reaction on social media after Thursday night's episode.

Celebrity Gogglebox returns tonight with a host of new famous faces joining the sofa critics. New additions include Olivia Attwood, Gladiators stars Nitro and Legend, plus comedy favourite Julian Clary alongside Nigel Havers. The show remains one of Channel 4's most popular entertainment programmes.

Janette Manrara has confirmed she is no longer part of the Strictly Come Dancing family. The former professional dancer and It Takes Two presenter says she is now free to pursue new opportunities after more than a decade associated with the BBC ballroom hit.

Disney is reportedly developing a new celebrity dating show inspired by the success of Love Island. The series is expected to feature famous faces from both the UK and the United States, with casting reportedly due to begin later this year.

Emmerdale viewers have been praising the show's emotional Cain Dingle storyline. Recent episodes have focused on Cain's recovery following cancer surgery and the impact it has had on his confidence, family life and return to work.

Jeremy Clarkson is back in the headlines as Clarkson's Farm continues to dominate streaming charts. The Amazon series remains one of the UK's most talked-about television shows, attracting both praise and criticism as it heads into another successful season.

Actor Richard E Grant has admitted he worries he may have revealed too much about the upcoming Celebrity Traitors series. The Hollywood star says friends have warned him just how ruthless the game can become before filming even begins.

The BBC's reality series The Agency: Unfiltered returns later this month with Edinburgh drag queen Cherry West among the new cast members. The programme follows aspiring influencers and content creators competing for representation and industry opportunities.

And finally, Love Island star Maura Higgins is set to appear in the latest season of The Traitors US, which will air in the UK later this month. Fans are already predicting she could become one of the standout contestants.

England's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are continuing in Florida as players adapt to the heat, travel and time difference ahead of next week's opening matches. Sports scientists have urged players to focus on recovery and avoid relying on sleeping pills as the tournament gets underway.

Cole Palmer is making headlines after appearing in Nike's flagship World Cup advertising campaign despite missing out on England's final squad. The Chelsea star is the only England player featured in the global advert, sparking fresh debate among supporters.

Maja Chwalinska has made tennis history by becoming the first qualifier ever to reach a French Open final. The Polish player completed a remarkable run at Roland Garros and now stands one win away from a fairytale Grand Slam title.

Great Britain's Molly Caudery and Georgia Hunter Bell both claimed victories at the Diamond League meeting in Rome. Caudery won the pole vault while Hunter Bell took victory in the 1500 metres as British athletics continues to build momentum ahead of future major championships.

Formula One has announced a ten-year extension for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, securing the race on the calendar until 2037. The event has become one of the sport's biggest showcases since its return and has reportedly generated billions for the local economy.

Leeds Rhinos have strengthened their position at the top of the Super League after ending a decade-long wait for a home victory against St Helens. The win was celebrated by supporters after years of frustration.

The World Cup is expected to provide a major boost to British pubs and bars this summer, with spending forecast to rise by more than £100 million during the tournament. Hospitality venues are preparing for a busy few weeks as fans gather to watch the action.

Northern Ireland recorded a 1-0 victory over Guinea in an international friendly, with manager Michael O'Neill praising his side's character and resilience ahead of future fixtures.

The cost of strawberries and cream with a glass of Pimm's at Wimbledon has risen above £15 for the first time. Organisers say inflation is behind the increase ahead of this summer's Championships.

And finally, energy company Octopus has pledged to provide free electricity to pubs during England and Scotland World Cup matches in a bid to support the hospitality sector and encourage fans to watch games together.